Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s WASH Innovations Lead Global Discourse at World Economic Forum 2025

    Source: Government of India

    India’s WASH Innovations Lead Global Discourse at World Economic Forum 2025

    Union Cabinet minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil delivers keynote address

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 3:29PM by PIB Delhi

    The India Pavilion at World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos hosted a global discussion titled “India’s WASH Innovation: Driving Global Impact in Climate and Water Sustainability.” The high-profile session organised at the backdrop of showcasing best practices adopted by the mission, highlighted India’s transformative achievements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), emphasizing their critical role in global climate resilience and sustainable development.

    Shri C. R. Patil, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, delivered the keynote address, presenting India’s journey in implementing the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). These initiatives have been pivotal in improving sanitation coverage and providing safe drinking water to millions of rural households.

    Shri C. R. Patil, Hon’ble Union Cabinet Minister of Jal Shakti stated, “This marks a significant milestone, demonstrating to the world that under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India is not only deeply committed to water conservation but is also driving a transformative revolution in this critical sector. Through large-scale efforts, the nation has significantly strengthened its water resources, setting a global benchmark for sustainable water management. Addressing water scarcity as a universal challenge, further aggravated by climate change, overpopulation, and overuse, calls for strengthened international cooperation and collective action.”

    The Hon’ble Minister further added, “Over the years, we have made remarkable progress in ensuring access to safe drinking water for rural India. In 2019, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) only 17% of rural households had functional tap water connections. However, today, a staggering 79.66% of rural households under the Jal Jeevan Mission have access to safe drinking water. This transformation is not just about providing water but also about changing lives—rural India is now saving 55 million hours per day on fetching water, enabling increased workforce participation and productivity, especially from women.”

    The World Economic Forum provides a platform for the ministry to showcase India’s groundbreaking initiatives in WASH innovation and climate resilience, emphasizing efforts to promote equitable and inclusive access to WASH services.

    The Swachh Bharat Mission and JJM demonstrate the effectiveness of large-scale, government-led initiatives in improving sanitation and water access. During the keynote address the Hon’ble Minister highlighted, “Through the focus on sanitation, the scheme has not only empowered women but also ensured their safety. According to WHO, the efforts made in the last decade towards improving sanitation have averted the deaths of 3 lakh children under the age of five.” Moreover, India’s focus on community engagement, behaviour change, and leveraging technology provides a model for other countries facing similar challenges.

    The keynote address was followed by two insightful panel discussions. The Water Panel, on the topic “Bringing Global Impact in Water Sustainability,” featured distinguished global experts, including from the NMCG, UNICEF and WaterAid, and shared innovative approaches and strategies for advancing global water sustainability.

    The Sanitation Panel, centred on the topic “Innovation in Global Health Through Sanitation,” brought together esteemed panelists from the Gates Foundation, Riseberg Ventures, BCHAR, Capgemini and actor and policy advocate Shri Vivek Oberoi who discussed the theme, highlighting groundbreaking innovations in sanitation and their impact on global health.

    The panel discussion at the India Pavilion spotlighted India’s WASH innovations and their significance in addressing global sustainability challenges, aiming to promote dialogue on public-private partnerships, technology-driven solutions, and strategies for scaling successful models globally.

    Discussions focused on India’s scalable models for sustainable water management, climate-resilient practices, and public-private collaborations. Key achievements, such as the elimination of open defecation, construction of over 95 million toilets under SBM, and widespread household tap water connections under JJM, have established India as a global leader in WASH initiatives.

    These efforts have transformed lives by improving health, education access, and economic opportunities through enhanced hygiene, sanitation, and reduced time spent fetching water. These achievements align with the broader goals of the World Economic Forum to foster collaborative solutions for climate action and water sustainability. The WEF emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly those focused on water and sanitation. Tackling the global water crisis, which threatens health, food security, economic growth, and biodiversity, requires collaborative action. India’s experience provides insightful lessons to inform and strengthen global WASH strategies.

    The session concluded with actionable insights and participant commitments, reaffirming India’s key role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Climate Action (SDG 13).

    ***

    Dhanya Sanal K

    (Release ID: 2095791) Visitor Counter : 45

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Thursday, 23 January 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

    Source: European Parliament

    PV-10-2025-01-23

    EN

    EN

    iPlPv_Sit

    Minutes
    Thursday, 23 January 2025 – Strasbourg

     Abbreviations and symbols

    + adopted
    rejected
    lapsed
    W withdrawn
    RCV roll-call votes
    EV electronic vote
    SEC secret ballot
    split split vote
    sep separate vote
    am amendment
    CA compromise amendment
    CP corresponding part
    D deleting amendment
    = identical amendments
    § paragraph

    IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE
    Vice-President

    1. Opening of the sitting

    The sitting opened at 09:01.


    2. Combating Desertification: 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention (debate)

    Commission statement: Combating Desertification: 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention (2025/3018(RSP))

    Jessika Roswall (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Carmen Crespo Díaz, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marta Temido, on behalf of the S&D Group, Julien Leonardelli, on behalf of the PfE Group, Francesco Ventola, on behalf of the ECR Group, Martin Hojsík, on behalf of the Renew Group, Pär Holmgren, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Catarina Martins, on behalf of The Left Group, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, on behalf of the ESN Group, Christine Schneider, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Laurence Trochu, Billy Kelleher, Kai Tegethoff, João Oliveira, Daniel Buda, Maria Grapini, Mathilde Androuët, Marie Toussaint, Valentina Palmisano, Salvatore De Meo, Thomas Bajada, France Jamet, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Sebastian Everding, who also answered a blue-card question from Sander Smit, Gabriella Gerzsenyi, César Luena, who also answered a blue-card question from Carmen Crespo Díaz, Jutta Paulus, who also answered a blue-card question from Maria Grapini, Nikolas Farantouris, Borja Giménez Larraz, Camilla Laureti, Marco Falcone, who also answered a blue-card question from Kai Tegethoff, Leire Pajín, Manuela Ripa, Jean-Marc Germain, Dan-Ştefan Motreanu, Stefano Bonaccini and Ştefan Muşoiu.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Grzegorz Braun, Hélder Sousa Silva and Seán Kelly.

    The following spoke: Jessika Roswall.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
    Vice-President

    3. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 10:29.


    4. Cryptocurrencies need for global standards (debate)

    Commission statement: Cryptocurrencies – need for global standards (2025/2514(RSP))

    Magnus Brunner (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Markus Ferber, on behalf of the PPE Group, Jonás Fernández, on behalf of the S&D Group, Pierre Pimpie, on behalf of the PfE Group, Marlena Maląg, on behalf of the ECR Group, Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, on behalf of the Renew Group, Rasmus Andresen, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group (the President reminded the speaker of the rules on conduct), Pasquale Tridico, on behalf of The Left Group, René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group, Regina Doherty, Eero Heinäluoma, Aleksandar Nikolic, Guillaume Peltier, Gilles Boyer, Damian Boeselager, Catarina Martins, Stanislav Stoyanov, Kateřina Konečná, Kinga Kollár, Aurore Lalucq, Mathilde Androuët, Adrian-George Axinia, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Giuseppe Antoci, Marcin Sypniewski, Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus, Lídia Pereira (the President provided some clarifications on the blue-card procedure), Nikos Papandreou, who also answered a blue-card question from Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Angéline Furet, Ondřej Krutílek, Michalis Hadjipantela, Adnan Dibrani, Diego Solier, Andrey Kovatchev, Waldemar Buda, Caterina Chinnici and Seán Kelly.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Niels Geuking, Maria Grapini, Alexander Jungbluth, Grzegorz Braun, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă.

    The following spoke: Magnus Brunner.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended at 11:48.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
    Vice-President

    5. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 11:59.


    6. Composition of new committees

    Following the creation of the standing committees on security and defence and on public health, and the creation of the special committees on the European Democracy Shield and on the housing crisis in the European Union, the President had received nominations for membership of these new standing and special committees from the political groups and the non-attached Members, in accordance with Rules 212 and 213.

    The decisions took effect as of that day.

    The lists of Members nominated to form these committees are annexed to these minutes (minutes of 23.1.2025 Annex 1).


    7. Composition of committees and delegations

    The Renew Group and non-attached Members had notified the President of the following decisions changing the composition of committees:

    – ITRE Committee: Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez to replace Barry Andrews, Elena Yoncheva

    – REGI Committee: Elsi Katainen

    – LIBE Committee: Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle

    – PETI Committee: Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Eugen Tomac were no longer members, Taner Kabilov

    The decisions took effect as of that day.

    The following spoke: Jordan Bardella, Carlo Fidanza and Patryk Jaki on points of order (the President cut off the speakers as their remarks did not constitute points of order).


    8. Voting time

    For detailed results of the votes, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.




    8.2. Systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages (vote)

    Motions for resolutions RC-B10-0066/2025 (minutes of 23.1.2025, item I), B10-0063/2025, B10-0066/2025, B10-0067/2025, B10-0073/2025, B10-0082/2025, B10-0085/2025 and B10-0086/2025 (minutes of 22.1.2025, item 1) (2025/2511(RSP))

    The debate had taken place on 22 January 2025 (minutes of 22.1.2025, item 16.2).

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0004)

    (Motions for resolutions B10-0063/2025 and B10-0067/2025 fell.)

    Detailed voting results








    9. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 15:00.


    10. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.


    11. Major interpellations (debate)

    Major interpellation for written answer with debate (G-001002/2024) submitted by Charlie Weimers, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Kristoffer Storm, Jaak Madison, Carlo Fidanza, Adam Bielan, Alexandr Vondra, Patryk Jaki, Johan Van Overtveldt, Roberts Zīle, Emmanouil Fragkos, Georgiana Teodorescu, Geadis Geadi, Marion Maréchal, Ivaylo Valchev, Kosma Złotowski, Mariusz Kamiński, Maciej Wąsik, Dick Erixon, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Beatrice Timgren, Nicolas Bay, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Ondřej Krutílek, Guillaume Peltier, Michał Dworczyk, Laurence Trochu, Şerban-Dimitrie Sturdza, Tobiasz Bocheński, Gheorghe Piperea, on behalf of the ECR Group, to the Commission: EU funding of physical border protection structures such as walls, fences or other barriers at the external border (B10-0001/2025)

    Jaak Madison moved the major interpellation.

    Magnus Brunner (Member of the Commission) answered the major interpellation.

    The following spoke: Lena Düpont, on behalf of the PPE Group, Ana Catarina Mendes, on behalf of the S&D Group, András László, on behalf of the PfE Group, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, on behalf of the ECR Group, Fabienne Keller, on behalf of the Renew Group, Mélissa Camara, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Christine Anderson, on behalf of the ESN Group, Fredis Beleris, Murielle Laurent, France Jamet and Riho Terras.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Kinga Kollár, Bogdan Rzońca and Siegbert Frank Droese.

    The following spoke: Magnus Brunner.

    The debate closed.


    12. Explanations of vote

    Written explanations of vote

    Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.


    13. Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

    In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the sitting on Monday, 10 February 2025.

    With Parliament’s agreement, the texts adopted during the part-session would be forwarded to their respective addressees without delay.


    14. Dates of forthcoming sittings

    The next sitting would be held on 29 January 2025.


    15. Closure of the sitting

    The sitting closed at 15:41.


    16. Adjournment of the session

    The session of the European Parliament was adjourned.

    Alessandro Chiocchetti

    Roberta Metsola

    Secretary-General

    President


    LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT


    I. Motions for resolutions tabled

    Case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 150(5) and Rule 136(4):

    on the case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2025/2510(RSP)) (RC-B10-0069/2025)
    (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0069/2025, B10-0072/2025, B10-0078/2025, B10-0081/2025 and B10-0084/2025)
    Sebastião Bugalho, Wouter Beke, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Michael Gahler, Luděk Niedermayer, Christophe Gomart, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Danuše Nerudová, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Jessica Polfjärd, Tomáš Zdechovský, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Elio Di Rupo
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Waldemar Tomaszewski, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Sebastian Tynkkynen
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Bernard Guetta, Petras Auštrevičius, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Catarina Vieira
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    Systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 150(5) and Rule 136(4):

    on the systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages (2025/2511(RSP)) (RC-B10-0066/2025)
    (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0066/2025, B10-0073/2025, B10-0082/2025, B10-0085/2025 and B10-0086/2025)
    Sebastião Bugalho, Tomáš Zdechovský, Loucas Fourlas, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, David McAllister, Michael Gahler, Željana Zovko, Christophe Gomart, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Javier Zarzalejos, Luděk Niedermayer, Wouter Beke, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Jessica Polfjärd, Danuše Nerudová, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Evin Incir, Chloé Ridel, Daniel Attard, Alessandra Moretti
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Rihards Kols, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Carlo Fidanza, Reinis Pozņaks, Aurelijus Veryga, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Alberico Gambino, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Dick Erixon, Beatrice Timgren, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Alexandr Vondra, Marion Maréchal, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Carlo Ciccioli, Charlie Weimers
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Petras Auštrevičius, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Bart Groothuis, Bernard Guetta, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Sophie Wilmès, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Hannah Neumann
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
    Per Clausen, Hanna Gedin, Jonas Sjöstedt

    Case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 150(5) and Rule 136(4):

    on the case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria (2025/2512(RSP)) (RC-B10-0087/2025)
    (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0087/2025, B10-0089/2025, B10-0091/2025, B10-0092/2025 and B10-0093/2025)
    Sebastião Bugalho, Christophe Gomart, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Michael Gahler, Luděk Niedermayer, Wouter Beke, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Jessica Polfjärd, Tomáš Zdechovský, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Marta Temido
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Alexandr Vondra, Marion Maréchal, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Małgorzata Gosiewska
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Helmut Brandstätter, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Bernard Guetta, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Urmas Paet, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Leoluca Orlando
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine

    Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate:

    on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (2024/2988(RSP)) (B10-0074/2025)
    Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Thijs Reuten, Raphaël Glucksmann
    on behalf of the S&D Group

    on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (2024/2988(RSP)) (B10-0075/2025)
    Rasa Juknevičienė, Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, Sebastião Bugalho, David McAllister, Siegfried Mureşan, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Mika Aaltola, Krzysztof Brejza, Daniel Caspary, Sandra Kalniete, Seán Kelly, Ondřej Kolář, Łukasz Kohut, Andrey Kovatchev, Miriam Lexmann, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Danuše Nerudová, Mirosława Nykiel, Ana Miguel Pedro, Paulius Saudargas, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Szczerba, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Matej Tonin, Pekka Toveri, Inese Vaidere, Milan Zver
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (2024/2988(RSP)) (B10-0076/2025)
    Sergey Lagodinsky, Hannah Neumann, Markéta Gregorová, Mārtiņš Staķis, Maria Ohisalo, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Villy Søvndal, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Reinier Van Lanschot
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (2024/2988(RSP)) (B10-0077/2025)
    Bernard Guetta, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Olivier Chastel, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Michał Kobosko, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Sophie Wilmès, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (2024/2988(RSP)) (B10-0079/2025)
    Adam Bielan, Mariusz Kamiński, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Rihards Kols, Ondřej Krutílek, Jaak Madison, Ivaylo Valchev, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Veronika Vrecionová, Roberts Zīle, Aurelijus Veryga, Maciej Wąsik, Michał Dworczyk, Cristian Terheş, Reinis Pozņaks, Alexandr Vondra
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 136(2) and (4):

    on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (2024/2988(RSP)) (RC-B10-0074/2025)
    (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0074/2025, B10-0075/2025, B10-0076/2025, B10-0077/2025 and B10-0079/2025)
    Rasa Juknevičienė, Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, Sebastião Bugalho, David McAllister, Siegfried Mureşan, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Mika Aaltola, Krzysztof Brejza, Daniel Caspary, Sandra Kalniete, Seán Kelly, Ondřej Kolář, Łukasz Kohut, Andrey Kovatchev, Miriam Lexmann, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Danuše Nerudová, Mirosława Nykiel, Ana Miguel Pedro, Paulius Saudargas, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Szczerba, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Matej Tonin, Pekka Toveri, Inese Vaidere, Milan Zver
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Thijs Reuten, Raphaël Glucksmann
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Rihards Kols, Reinis Pozņaks, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Roberts Zīle, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Jaak Madison, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Cristian Terheş, Maciej Wąsik, Ivaylo Valchev, Aurelijus Veryga, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Bernard Guetta, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Karin Karlsbro, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Michał Kobosko, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Sophie Wilmès, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Sergey Lagodinsky
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    Situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025

    Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate:

    on the situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025 (2025/2519(RSP)) (B10-0064/2025)
    Gabriel Mato, Sebastião Bugalho, Davor Ivo Stier
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on the situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025 (2025/2519(RSP)) (B10-0068/2025)
    Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Hermann Tertsch, Jorge Martín Frías, Silvia Sardone, Nikola Bartůšek, Susanna Ceccardi, Roberto Vannacci, António Tânger Corrêa, Enikő Győri
    on behalf of the PfE Group

    on the situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025 (2025/2519(RSP)) (B10-0071/2025)
    Leire Pajín
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Catarina Vieira, Ville Niinistö, Nicolae Ştefănuță
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025 (2025/2519(RSP)) (B10-0080/2025)
    Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Valérie Devaux, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Ana Vasconcelos, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025 (2025/2519(RSP)) (B10-0083/2025)
    Carlo Fidanza, Adam Bielan, Mariusz Kamiński, Alberico Gambino, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Diego Solier, Rihards Kols, Ondřej Krutílek, Jaak Madison, Nora Junco García, Şerban-Dimitrie Sturdza, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Veronika Vrecionová, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Alexandr Vondra
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 150(5) and Rule 136(4):

    on the situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025 (2025/2519(RSP)) (RC-B10-0064/2025)
    (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0064/2025, B10-0080/2025 and B10-0083/2025)
    Gabriel Mato, Sebastião Bugalho, Davor Ivo Stier, Francisco José Millán Mon
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Carlo Fidanza, Adam Bielan, Mariusz Kamiński, Ivaylo Valchev, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Rihards Kols, Alexandr Vondra, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Alberico Gambino, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Ana Vasconcelos, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group


    II. Decisions to draw up own-initiative reports

    Decisions to draw up own-initiative reports (Rule 55)

    (Following the Conference of Presidents’ decision of 15 January 2025)

    AFCO Committee

    – Reform of the European Electoral Act – hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States (2025/2028(INI))

    – Institutional aspects of the Report on the future of European Competitiveness (Draghi Report) (2025/2013(INI))

    – Stock-taking of the European elections 2024 (2025/2012(INI))

    AFET Committee

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Ukraine (2025/2026(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Moldova (2025/2025(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Georgia (2025/2024(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Türkiye (2025/2023(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Serbia (2025/2022(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on North Macedonia (2025/2021(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro (2025/2020(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Kosovo (2025/2019(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina (2025/2018(INI))

    – 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Albania (2025/2017(INI))

    DEVE Committee

    – Financing for development – ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville (2025/2004(INI))

    – Implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (2025/2014(INI))
    (opinion: FEMM)

    IMCO Committee

    – Implementation and streamlining of EU internal market rules to strengthen the single market (2025/2009(INI))

    ITRE Committee

    – Future of the EU biotechnology and biomanufacturing sector: leveraging research, boosting innovation and enhancing competitiveness (2025/2008(INI))

    – European technological sovereignty and digital infrastructure (2025/2007(INI))

    – Electricity grids: the backbone of the EU energy system (2025/2006(INI))

    JURI Committee

    – Monitoring the application of European Union law in 2023 and 2024 (2025/2016(INI))
    (opinion: PETI)

    – European Union regulatory fitness and subsidiarity and proportionality – report on Better Law-Making covering 2023 and 2024 (2025/2015(INI))

    PECH Committee

    – Fisheries management approaches for safeguarding sensitive species, tackling invasive species and benefiting local economies (2025/2011(INI))

    – The role of social, economic and environmental standards in safeguarding fair competition for all aquatic food products and improving food security (2025/2010(INI))

    PETI Committee

    – Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023 (2025/2027(INI))

    (Following the Conference of Presidents’ decision of 19 December 2024)

    – The multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward (2024/2127(INI))

    – The impact of the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins (2024/2126(INI))

    – Decarbonisation and modernisation of EU fisheries, and the development and deployment of fishing gear (2024/2123(INI))

    AGRI Committee

    – The position of farmers in the agri-food value chain (2024/2122(INI))

    ECON Committee

    – The role of simple tax rules and tax fragmentation in European competitiveness (2024/2118(INI))

    – A coherent tax framework for the EU’s financial sector (2024/2117(INI))

    – Facilitating the financing of investments and reforms to boost European competitiveness and creating a Capital Markets Union (Draghi Report) (2024/2116(INI))
    (opinion: BUDG)

    FEMM Committee

    – Gender Equality Strategy 2025 (2024/2125(INI))
    (opinion: LIBE)

    – Women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions (2024/2124(INI))
    (opinion: AGRI)

    IMCO Committee

    – A new legislative framework for products that is fit for the digital and sustainable transition (2024/2119(INI))

    REGI Committee

    – The role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition (2024/2121(INI))
    (opinion: EMPL)

    – The role of cohesion policy investment in resolving the current housing crisis (2024/2120(INI))
    (opinion: EMPL)


    III. Consent procedure

    Reports with a motion for a non-legislative resolution (consent procedure) (Rule 107(5))

    (Following notification by the Conference of Committee Chairs on 15 January 2025)

    AFET Committee

    – Interim report in view of the consent procedure on the Agreement establishing an association between the EU and the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of San Marino (2024/0101R(NLE)2024/0101(NLE))
    (opinion: ECON, IMCO)


    IV. Petitions

    Petitions Nos 1427-24 to 1518-24 had been entered in the register on 17 January 2025 and had been forwarded to the committee responsible, in accordance with Rule 232(9) and (10).

    The President had, on 17 January 2025, forwarded to the committee responsible, in accordance with Rule 232(15), petitions addressed to the European Parliament by natural or legal persons who were not citizens of the European Union and who did not reside, or have their registered office, in a Member State.


    V. Documents received

    The following documents had been received from Members:

    – Mathilde Androuët, Gerolf Annemans, Jordan Bardella, Nikola Bartůšek, Rachel Blom, Barbara Bonte, Paolo Borchia, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Irmhild Boßdorf, Jaroslav Bžoch, Klara Dostalova, Marieke Ehlers, Dick Erixon, Tomasz Froelich, Petras Gražulis, Branko Grims, Catherine Griset, Enikő Győri, Roman Haider, Fernand Kartheiser, Ondřej Knotek, Vilis Krištopans, Julien Leonardelli, Jorge Martín Frías, Milan Mazurek, Tiago Moreira de Sá, Jana Nagyová, Hans Neuhoff, Julie Rechagneux, Dominik Tarczyński, Hermann Tertsch, Isabella Tovaglieri, António Tânger Corrêa, Milan Uhrík, Tom Vandendriessche, Harald Vilimsky, Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik and Auke Zijlstra. Motion for a resolution on Dismantling Overregulation and Government Encroachment: reclaiming competitiveness and innovation in the European Union (B10-0214/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: JURI
    opinion: ITRE

    – Pekka Toveri and Sebastian Tynkkynen. Motion for a resolution on restricting the ability of passenger and cargo traffic to enter European Union airspace from Russia (B10-0220/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: TRAN
    opinion: AFET

    – Matthieu Valet. Motion for a resolution on EU policy on Syrian refugees following the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime (B10-0237/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: LIBE

    – Christine Anderson, Anja Arndt, René Aust, Arno Bausemer, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Markus Buchheit, Petr Bystron, Elisabeth Dieringer, Siegbert Frank Droese, Marc Jongen, Mary Khan, Sarah Knafo, Maximilian Krah and Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová. Motion for a resolution on financial and organisational support for Member States to repatriate Syrian nationals (B10-0238/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: LIBE


    ATTENDANCE REGISTER

    Present:

    Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andersson Li, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barley Katarina, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Adrian-Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berg Sibylle, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brandstätter Helmut, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Brejza Krzysztof, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Christensen Asger, Ciccioli Carlo, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Clergeau Christophe, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, Cunha Paulo, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Demirel Özlem, Deutsch Tamás, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Di Rupo Elio, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Düpont Lena, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Everding Sebastian, Ezcurra Almansa Alma, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glück Andreas, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomart Christophe, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Grims Branko, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Groothuis Bart, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guarda Cristina, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hassan Rima, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Hazekamp Anja, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jalloul Muro Hana, Jamet France, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kemp Martine, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovatchev Andrey, Krah Maximilian, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyllönen Merja, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lagodinsky Sergey, Lakos Eszter, Lalucq Aurore, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Loiseau Nathalie, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Magoni Lara, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Martín Frías Jorge, Martins Catarina, Martusciello Fulvio, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Millán Mon Francisco José, Miranda Paz Ana, Molnár Csaba, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ondruš Branislav, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pereira Lídia, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Serra Sánchez Isabel, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Stier Davor Ivo, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarquinio Marco, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Temido Marta, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomašič Zala, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Toveri Pekka, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Tudose Mihai, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Ušakovs Nils, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Overtveldt Johan, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Verheyen Sabine, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vind Marianne, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Wilmès Sophie, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Zacharia Maria, Zajączkowska-Hernik Ewa, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zan Alessandro, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

    Excused:

    Sidl Günther


    ANNEX 1 – Composition of new committees

    C01A SEDE

    [ 20/01/2025 – ]

    Комисия по сигурност и отбрана

    Comisión de Seguridad y Defensa

    Výbor pro bezpečnost a obranu

    Udvalget om Sikkerhed og Forsvar

    Ausschuss für Sicherheit und Verteidigung

    Julgeoleku- ja kaitsekomisjon

    Επιτροπή Ασφάλειας και Άμυνας

    Committee on Security and Defence

    Commission de la sécurité et de la défense

    An Coiste um Shlándáil agus Cosaint

    Odbor za sigurnost i obranu

    Commissione per la sicurezza e la difesa

    Drošības un aizsardzības komiteja

    Saugumo ir gynybos komitetas

    ssBiztonság- és Védelempolitikai Bizottság

    Kumitat għas-Sigurtà u d-Difiża

    Commissie veiligheid en defensie

    Komisja Bezpieczeństwa i Obrony

    Comissão da Segurança e da Defesa

    Comisia pentru securitate și apărare

    Výbor pre bezpečnosť a obranu

    Odbor za varnost in obrambo

    Turvallisuus- ja puolustuspolitiikan valiokunta

    Utskottet för säkerhet och försvar

    (43 members)

    PPE (11)

    BEKE Wouter

    DE MEO Salvatore

    GOMART Christophe

    HERBST Niclas

    MEIMARAKIS Vangelis

    NOVAKOV Andrey

    PASCUAL DE LA PARTE Nicolás

    SZCZERBA Michał

    TEODORESCU MÅWE Alice

    TERRAS Riho

    TOVERI Pekka

    S&D (8)

    CREMER Tobias

    DI RUPO Elio

    GLUCKSMANN Raphaël

    LÓPEZ Javi

    MAVRIDES Costas

    MENDES Ana Catarina

    MIKSER Sven

    TUDOSE Mihai

    PfE (5)

    HÖLVÉNYI György

    POKORNÁ JERMANOVÁ Jaroslava

    STÖTELER Sebastiaan

    THIONNET Pierre-Romain

    VANNACCI Roberto

    ECR (5)

    DONAZZAN Elena

    DWORCZYK Michał

    GAMBINO Alberico

    POZŅAKS Reinis

    VONDRA Alexandr

    Renew (5)

    AUŠTREVIČIUS Petras

    LOISEAU Nathalie

    ŠAREC Marjan

    STRACK-ZIMMERMANN Marie-Agnes

    YAR Lucia

    Verts/ALE (3)

    NEUMANN Hannah

    STAĶIS Mārtiņš

    VAN LANSCHOT Reinier

    The Left (3)

    BOTENGA Marc

    DEMIREL Özlem

    KYLLÖNEN Merja

    ESN (1)

    NEUHOFF Hans

    NI (2)

    PAPADAKIS Kostas

    VON DER SCHULENBURG Michael

    C08A SANT

    [ 20/01/2025 – ]

    Комисия по обществено здраве

    Comisión de Salud Pública

    Výbor pro veřejné zdraví

    Udvalget om Folkesundhed

    Ausschuss für öffentliche Gesundheit

    Rahvatervishoiu komisjon

    Επιτροπή Δημόσιας Υγείας

    Committee on Public Health

    Commission de la santé publique

    An Coiste um Shláinte Phoiblí

    Odbor za javno zdravlje

    Commissione per la sanità pubblica

    Sabiedrības veselības komiteja

    Visuomenės sveikatos komitetas

    Közegészségügyi Bizottság

    Kumitat għas-Saħħa Pubblika

    Commissie volksgezondheid

    Komisja Zdrowia Publicznego

    Comissão da Saúde Pública

    Comisia pentru sănătate publică

    Výbor pre verejné zdravie

    Odbor za javno zdravje

    Kansanterveyden valiokunta

    Utskottet för folkhälsa

    (43 members)

    PPE (11)

    ARŁUKOWICZ Bartosz

    CASTILLO Laurent

    HADJIPANTELA Michalis

    JARUBAS Adam

    KULJA András Tivadar

    LIESE Peter

    MORATTI Letizia

    NEVADO DEL CAMPO Elena

    POLFJÄRD Jessica

    SCHENK Oliver

    SOKOL Tomislav

    S&D (8)

    ANDRIUKAITIS Vytenis Povilas

    CLERGEAU Christophe

    GONZÁLEZ CASARES Nicolás

    JERKOVIĆ Romana

    MORETTI Alessandra

    NEGRESCU Victor

    PAPANDREOU Nikos

    WÖLKEN Tiemo

    PfE (5)

    BRASIER-CLAIN Marie-Luce

    DE LA PISA CARRIÓN Margarita

    FERENC Viktória

    HAUSER Gerald

    KNOTEK Ondřej

    ECR (5)

    BUDA Waldemar

    FRAGKOS Emmanouil

    PICARO Michele

    RAZZA Ruggero

    TROCHU Laurence

    Renew (5)

    BOSSE Stine

    CANFIN Pascal

    CHASTEL Olivier

    CIFROVÁ OSTRIHOŇOVÁ Veronika

    VASILE-VOICULESCU Vlad

    Verts/ALE (3)

    HÄUSLING Martin

    MARINO Ignazio Roberto

    METZ Tilly

    The Left (3)

    MARTINS Catarina

    PALMISANO Valentina

    TAMBURRANO Dario

    ESN (1)

    ANDERSON Christine

    NI (2)

    BEŇOVÁ Monika

    DOSTÁL Ondřej

    CS01 EUDS

    [ 20/01/2025 – ]

    Специална комисия относно европейския щит за демокрацията

    Comisión Especial sobre el Escudo Europeo de la Democracia

    Zvláštní výbor pro Evropský štít pro demokracii

    Det Særlige Udvalg om Det Europæiske Demokratiskjold

    Sonderausschuss für den Europäischen Schutzschild für die Demokratie

    Euroopa demokraatia kaitse erikomisjon

    Ειδική Επιτροπή για την Ευρωπαϊκή Ασπίδα Δημοκρατίας

    Special committee on the European Democracy Shield

    Commission spéciale sur le bouclier européen de la démocratie

    An Coiste Speisialta um an Sciath Eorpach don Daonlathas

    Posebni odbor za europski štit za zaštitu demokracije

    Commissione speciale sullo scudo europeo per la democrazia

    Īpašā komiteja attiecībā uz Eiropas demokrātijas vairogu

    Specialusis komitetas Europos demokratijos skydo klausimais

    Az európai demokráciapajzzsal foglalkozó különbizottság

    Kumitat Speċjali dwar it-Tarka Ewropea għad-Demokrazija

    Bijzondere Commissie inzake een schild voor de Europese democratie

    Komisja Specjalna ds. Europejskiej Tarczy Demokracji

    Comissão Especial sobre o Escudo Europeu da Democracia

    Comisia specială pentru Scutul democrației europene

    Osobitný výbor pre európsky štít na obranu demokracie

    Posebni odbor za evropski ščit za demokracijo

    Eurooppalaista demokratian kilpeä käsittelevä erityisvaliokunta

    Särskilda utskottet för det europeiska demokratiförsvaret

    (33 members)

    PPE (9)

    AALTOLA Mika

    BOGDAN Ioan-Rareş

    DÜPONT Lena

    KALNIETE Sandra

    MARTUSCIELLO Fulvio

    SIENKIEWICZ Bartłomiej

    TOBÉ Tomas

    ZDECHOVSKÝ Tomáš

    ZOIDO ÁLVAREZ Juan Ignacio

    S&D (6)

    DÎNCU Vasile

    MENDES Ana Catarina

    MOLNÁR Csaba

    PICIERNO Pina

    SCHALDEMOSE Christel

    VAN BREMPT Kathleen

    PfE (4)

    BŽOCH Jaroslav

    LEGGERI Fabrice

    SCHALLER-BAROSS Ernő

    TÂNGER CORRÊA António

    ECR (4)

    CAVEDAGNA Stefano

    KANKO Assita

    SZYDŁO Beata

    TERHEŞ Cristian

    Renew (4)

    BRANDSTÄTTER Helmut

    GROOTHUIS Bart

    LOISEAU Nathalie

    WILMÈS Sophie

    Verts/ALE (2)

    GEESE Alexandra

    VAN SPARRENTAK Kim

    The Left (2)

    ARVANITIS Konstantinos

    DELLA VALLE Danilo

    ESN (1)

    ANDERSON Christine

    NI (1)

    PANAYIOTOU Fidias

    CS02 HOUS

    [ 20/01/2025 – ]

    Специална комисия относно жилищната криза в Европейския съюз

    Comisión Especial sobre la Crisis de la Vivienda en la Unión Europea

    Zvláštní výbor pro krizi v oblasti bydlení v Evropské unii

    Det Særlige Udvalg om Boligkrisen i Den Europæiske Union

    Sonderausschuss zur Wohnraumkrise in der Europäischen Union

    Euroopa Liidu eluasemekriisi erikomisjon

    Ειδική Επιτροπή για τη στεγαστική κρίση στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση

    Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union

    Commission spéciale sur la crise du logement dans l’Union européenne

    An Coiste Speisialta um an nGéarchéim Tithíochta san Aontas Eorpach

    Posebni odbor za stambenu krizu u Europskoj uniji

    Commissione speciale sulla crisi degli alloggi nell’Unione europea

    Īpašā komiteja mājokļu krīzes risināšanai Eiropas Savienībā

    Specialusis komitetas būsto krizės Europos Sąjungoje klausimais

    Az Európai Unióban tapasztalható lakhatási válsággal foglalkozó különbizottság

    Kumitat Speċjali dwar il-Kriżi tal-Akkomodazzjoni fl-Unjoni Ewropea

    Bijzondere Commissie inzake de huisvestingscrisis in de Europese Unie

    Komisja Specjalna ds. Kryzysu Mieszkaniowego w Unii Europejskiej

    Comissão Especial sobre a Crise de Habitação na União Europeia

    Comisia specială pentru criza locuințelor în Uniunea Europeană

    Osobitný výbor pre krízu bývania v Európskej únii

    Posebni odbor za stanovanjsko krizo v Evropski uniji

    Asuntokriisiä Euroopan unionissa käsittelevä erityisvaliokunta

    Särskilda utskottet för bostadskrisen i Europeiska unionen

    (33 members)

    PPE (9)

    BUGALHO Sebastião

    CASA David

    DOHERTY Regina

    EZCURRA ALMANSA Alma

    FALCONE Marco

    FERBER Markus

    GOTINK Dirk

    LE CALLENNEC Isabelle

    MARCZUŁAJTIS-WALCZAK Jagna

    S&D (6)

    BISCHOFF Gabriele

    GOMES Isilda

    HOMS GINEL Alicia

    MEBAREK Nora

    SCHIEDER Andreas

    TINAGLI Irene

    PfE (4)

    BLOM Rachel

    DOSTALOVA Klara

    HÖLVÉNYI György

    RECHAGNEUX Julie

    ECR (4)

    JUNCO GARCÍA Nora

    MAGONI Lara

    SBERNA Antonella

    TEODORESCU Georgiana

    Renew (4)

    HOJSÍK Martin

    MULLOOLY Ciaran

    TOOM Jana

    VAN DEN BERG Brigitte

    Verts/ALE (2)

    MARZÀ IBÁÑEZ Vicent

    OHISALO Maria

    The Left (2)

    CHAIBI Leila

    MONTERO Irene

    ESN (1)

    BOSSDORF Irmhild

    NI (1)

    ZACHARIA Maria

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Need for actions to address the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus – P10_TA(2025)0002 – Wednesday, 22 January 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to its previous resolutions on Belarus,

    –  having regard to the Council conclusions on Belarus of 12 October 2020 and 19 February 2024 and to the European Council conclusions on Belarus of 21 and 22 October 2021,

    –  having regard to the statements by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 1 August 2024 on the release of a number of political prisoners, and of 26 February 2024 on the parliamentary and local elections, and to the statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU of 8 August 2023 on the third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections,

    –  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Charter, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international human rights instruments to which Belarus is a party,

    –  having regard to the report of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of 25 March 2024 on the situation of human rights in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath,

    –  having regard to the resolution of the General Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) of 12 June 2023 concerning the measures recommended by the Governing Body under article 33 of the ILO Constitution on the subject of Belarus,

    –  having regard to Rule 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A.  whereas the 30-year authoritarian rule of Aliaksandr Lukashenka in Belarus has been characterised by systematic repression of political opponents and dissent, including the enforced disappearance of Lukashenka’s critics; whereas since the fraudulent presidential election of August 2020, the illegitimate Lukashenka regime, with Russian support, has systematically repressed political activists, civil society, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, artists, religious leaders, trade unionists and other groups in Belarus and abroad, arbitrarily detaining tens of thousands of people;

    B.  whereas following the fraudulent 2020 presidential election and the subsequent brutal crackdown, the EU and many of its democratic partners did not recognise the results of the elections or Aliaksandr Lukashenka as legitimate leader and President of Belarus;

    C.  whereas according to the Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’, over 1 250 political prisoners remain detained in Belarus in conditions that put their lives at risk, and many of these prisoners are in fragile health; whereas several political prisoners have died in custody, four of them in 2024 alone; whereas political prisoners face torture, denial of medical care, restricted access to visits from lawyers and family members, and solitary confinement; whereas since the summer of 2020, 3 697 people have been recognised as political prisoners; whereas in 2024 alone, over 8 800 cases of politically motivated persecution were documented, including arrests, detentions, dismissals and other forms of repression targeting political prisoners, their families and lawyers, activists, journalists, priests, doctors, returning Belarusians and others;

    D.  whereas multiple international organisations, including the OHCHR, have documented systematic human rights violations in Belarus, including torture, arbitrary detentions, imprisonment or other forms of severe deprivation of physical liberty, enforced disappearances, persecution on political grounds and suppression of freedoms, which amount to crimes against humanity under international law; whereas in September 2024, Lithuania referred the situation in Belarus to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate certain crimes against humanity committed by the Lukashenka regime;

    E.  whereas the illegitimate Belarusian regime plans to hold sham presidential elections on 26 January 2025, with Lukashenka seeking a seventh term; whereas Belarus’ Central Election Commission has registered Lukashenka and four other pro forma ‘candidates’; whereas the current presidential election campaign is being conducted in an environment of severe repression which fails to meet even the minimum standards for democratic elections; whereas democratic candidates are barred from participating, media freedom is heavily restricted, voters face intimidation, and the absence of independent election observation further undermines the legitimacy of the electoral process;

    F.  whereas both the parliamentary and local elections held on 25 February 2024 and the upcoming sham presidential election scheduled for 26 January 2025 exemplify the regime’s disregard for democratic norms as elections in Belarus are tightly controlled, with all candidates pre-approved by authorities, democratic parties eliminated and voters offered no real choice; whereas the election campaign has been marked by the detention of individuals involved in the 2020 presidential campaigns of other candidates and a clear readiness to harshly suppress dissent;

    G.  whereas according to the Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’, at least 360 people were detained between July and September 2024, and many democratic leaders, including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ales Bialiatski, Maria Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka, Pavel Seviarynets, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Mikalai Statkevich and others remain imprisoned; whereas at least eight political prisoners are currently detained incommunicado;

    H.  whereas the Lukashenka regime has stepped up pressure on the staff of Western diplomatic missions accredited in Belarus as well as other foreigners; whereas Mikalai Khila, a local member of staff of the EU delegation to Belarus, was apprehended by the Belarusian KGB in front of the EU delegation office, held in pre-trial detention from April 2024 and sentenced, in December 2024, to four years of imprisonment; whereas he has been listed as a political prisoner by the Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’; whereas two Japanese citizens were recently detained on trumped-up charges of ‘agent activities’;

    I.  whereas Lukashenka pardoned over 200 political prisoners in 2024 in an attempt to lift some Western sanctions; whereas political arrests continue despite these pardons, with at least 1 721 individuals convicted on political charges in 2024 alone;

    J.  whereas the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus has long been embedded in the Lukashenka regime’s government structure and is thought to play a significant role in organising the falsification of election results;

    K.  whereas the Belarusian regime employs anti-extremism laws to obstruct media outlets, whereby most independent media have been labelled as ‘extremist’, with at least 45 media representatives detained, around 400 in exile and others facing harassment and mistreatment; whereas independent media, such as Belsat TV, Charter 97, Nexta, Radio Racyja, Radio Svaboda, Nasha Niva and others, play a crucial role in providing essential information and serving as a platform for democratic voices; whereas the Belarusian authorities employ surveillance, online censorship and disinformation, escalating digital authoritarianism and undermining the prospects for free and fair elections in 2025; whereas Belarusian propagandists regularly spread disinformation about EU Member States and their officials and suppress access to information;

    L.  whereas more than 500 000 Belarusians have been forced to flee the country since 2020, with some continuing to face persecution from the Lukashenka regime, including through trials in absentia, threats from the security forces and pressure on relatives, confiscation of property and other restrictions;

    M.  whereas under Lukashenka, more than 250 people sentenced to death have been executed; whereas Belarus remains the only country in Europe and Central Asia to retain the death penalty, with its scope expanded in 2022 to include vaguely defined acts of terrorism and in 2023 to include ‘treason against the state’;

    N.  whereas repressive measures in Belarus have increasingly targeted religious freedom, with the recent adoption of the law on freedom of conscience and religious organisations posing a serious threat to the rights and existence of religious communities; whereas this crackdown has also targeted religious leaders, as seen in the recent sentencing of Catholic priest Reverend Henrykh Akalatovich to 11 years in prison on fabricated high treason charges, the first such case against Catholic clergy in Belarus;

    O.  whereas the Lukashenka regime has proven to be instrumental to Putin by providing Russian forces with access to Belarusian territory from which to mount the full-scale invasion of Ukraine; whereas the Lukashenka regime commits crimes against Ukrainian children, including hosting re-education camps for political indoctrination and militarisation; whereas it assists attempts by Russia and others to destabilise the EU and undermine European aspirations among the EU’s neighbours, notably by weaponising migration at the EU’s borders and legitimising Bidzina Ivanishvili’s autocratic regime in Georgia;

    P.  whereas the EU has imposed targeted sanctions on Belarus in response to the fraudulent 2020 elections, systematic human rights violations, and Belarus’s complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including trade restrictions and sanctions on 287 individuals, among them Lukashenka, and 39 entities;

    Q.  whereas the Lukashenka regime, with Russian assistance, circumvents some of these sanctions through preferential market access and the use of Russian infrastructure; whereas reports indicate that BelAZ, a sanctioned Belarusian producer of trucks, circumvents sanctions by disassembling trucks in Belarus and shipping the parts to the EU for reassembly under different brand names;

    1.  Reiterates its non-recognition of the election of Aliaksandr Lukashenka to the post of President of Belarus; considers the current regime in Belarus to be illegitimate, illegal and criminal; reaffirms its unwavering support for the Belarusian people in their pursuit of democracy, freedom and human rights;

    2.  Denounces the lack of freedom, fairness and transparency ahead of the so called presidential elections in Belarus and calls for the EU, its Member States and the international community to categorically reject the upcoming elections in Belarus and the run-up campaign as a sham, as they do not meet minimum international standards for democratic elections; calls for the EU, its Member States and the international community to continue not to recognise the legitimacy of Aliaksandr Lukashenka as president after 26 January 2025, and calls for free and fair elections to be held in Belarus;

    3.  Deplores the ongoing grave violations of human rights and democratic principles in Belarus, which have further intensified in the run-up to the so-called presidential elections; condemns the systematic repression in Belarus, which includes arbitrary arrests, torture, harassment, ill-treatment of detainees, persistent impunity and a structural lack of respect for due process and fair trials; reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals detained in Belarus for their political views, alongside compensation and the restoration of their rights; demands an end to the repression of political opponents and the Belarusian public;

    4.  Reiterates its calls on the Belarusian authorities to respect detainees’ rights, provide medical care and grant access to lawyers, families, and international organisations;

    5.  Expresses grave concern about the situation of political prisoners, including Maria Kalesnikava, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Ales Bialiatski, Mikalai Statkevich, Mikalai Khila, Valiantsin Stefanovich, Maksim Znak, Viktar Babaryka, Ihar Losik, Andrzej Poczobut, Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, Uladzimir Matskevich, Marfa Rabkova, Uladzimir Labkovich, Aliaksandr Yarashuk, Volha Brytsikava, Aliaksandr Kapshul, Yana Pinchuk, Mikalai Bankou, Andrei Navitski, Henrykh Akalatovich, Uladzimir Kniha Dmitry Kuchuk, Pavel Seviarynets and others, many of whom are facing severe health issues without access to proper medical care, and are enduring isolation, ill treatment and torture;

    6.  Considers the arrest and sentencing on politically motivated charges of Mikalai Khila, a local staff member of the EU Delegation in Minsk, a breach of diplomatic practices towards the EU; calls for the EU and its Member States to swiftly develop a credible response;

    7.  Commends the resilience of Belarusian civil society and democratic forces; reiterates its solidarity with the people of Belarus and its support for their legitimate aspirations for a democratic and European future; expresses solidarity with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society organisations in their efforts to establish a sovereign, democratic and prosperous Belarus; remains committed to working with democratic forces, civil society and independent media to the benefit of the people of Belarus;

    8.  Calls for the EU and its Member States to continue to investigate human rights abuses in Belarus and to support accountability measures, including through universal jurisdiction; calls for the EU and its Member States to investigate, on the basis of universal jurisdiction, the crimes against humanity committed by the Lukashenka regime in Belarus and on EU territory and, following Lithuania’s example, to refer the situation in Belarus to the International Criminal Court for investigation to the extent possible, and to consider the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute the crimes of the Lukashenka regime; calls on the Member States to allow Belarusian lawyers expelled by the regime to practise on EU territory in order to provide legal assistance to persecuted Belarusians;

    9.  Highlights the invaluable work carried out by human rights defenders and civil society representatives in Belarus in monitoring, documenting and reporting the grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity that are taking place in the country, in order to ensure subsequent accountability and justice for the victims;

    10.  Reiterates its call for the EU and its Member States to support political prisoners and their families, including by demanding proof of political prisoners’ whereabouts, requesting their release, simplifying the procedures for those fleeing Belarus to obtain visas and identity documents, and providing rehabilitation and other types of support; calls on the EU Delegation and the Member State embassies in Belarus to continue observing and monitoring the trials of all political prisoners;

    11.  Stresses the importance of protecting exiled Belarusians from persecution by the Lukashenka regime, and of granting them opportunities to legally stay and work in the EU; calls for the EU and its Member States to raise the issue of abuse of international arrest warrants within Interpol and calls on the countries concerned not to extradite Belarusian citizens who have fled the regime and will face persecution upon their return to Belarus;

    12.  Deplores the fact that repressive measures in Belarus have expanded to include attacks on religious freedom, through the adoption of the law on freedom of conscience and religious organisations, which grossly violates the fundamental right to freedom of religion, conscience and belief; urges the Lukashenka regime to immediately halt the persecution of religious communities and churches;

    13.  Calls for the continuation of EU support for Belarusian democratic forces, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya; reiterates the need to support Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, students, journalists, leaders of trade unions, exiled professionals and others by providing them with visas, scholarships, grants and networking opportunities; encourages the representatives of the democratic forces of Belarus to maintain and promote unity;

    14.  Denounces the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and condemns its deliberate subordination of Belarus to Russia in a so-called union state encompassing political, geopolitical, economic, military and cultural spheres; reiterates the need to contribute to strengthening Belarusian national identity and the Belarusian language, and to combat the distortion and manipulation of Belarusian history by the Lukashenka regime as well as by the Kremlin and its proxies;

    15.  Urges the EU and its international partners to broaden and strengthen sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the repression in Belarus and for Belarus’s participation in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, while closing sanctions loopholes and addressing the main sources of income financing the regime, such as exports of potash and other fertilisers; calls for the EU to sanction Belarusian entities and individuals responsible for the forced labour of political prisoners, as well as the goods produced using such forced labour;

    16.  Urges the EU and international partners to immediately identify, freeze, and find legal pathways for seizing assets of the Belarusian leadership and related Belarusian entities involved in the Russian war effort, as well as assets of entities and individuals leading Lukashenka’s so-called election campaign, including the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, such as Yury Sianko, Hanna Varfalameyeva and Valery Kursevich; calls on EU and Western companies to cease their activities in Belarus;

    17.  Calls for the EU and its Member States to continue raising the situation in Belarus in all relevant international organisations, in particular the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the UN and its specialised bodies and the ILO, with the aim of enhancing international scrutiny of the human rights violations and international action on the situation in Belarus; calls on the Member States to ensure continued documentation and accountability for international crimes committed by the Lukashenka regime, strengthen the OHCHR’s examination of the human rights situation in Belarus by providing full support to the UN Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus and by preserving the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus to monitor ongoing human rights violations;

    18.  Denounces the illegal transfer of several thousand children, including orphans, from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine to so-called recreational camps in Belarus, where they are subjected to Russification and indoctrination; strongly condemns the involvement of the Belarus Red Cross in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children;

    19.  Strongly condemns the Lukashenka regime’s weaponisation and instrumentalisation of migration to destabilise neighbouring EU Member States through orchestrated irregular flows, violating human rights, exploiting vulnerable individuals and threatening regional stability; calls for the EU and its Member States to work on a coordinated response to counter this hybrid threat while protecting EU external borders and protecting the rights and safety of vulnerable individuals;

    20.  Urges Belarus to commute all death sentences, impose a moratorium on capital punishment and move towards its permanent abolition;

    21.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the relevant EU institutions, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Government of Japan, representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and the Belarusian de facto authorities.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Powering the EU’s future: Strengthening the battery industry – 24-01-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Batteries, widely used in the transport and energy sectors, are central to the global energy system. They will be key to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future and strategic autonomy. Boosting the industrial base for battery production is therefore a key task for the EU. While the EU battery sector enjoys strong support for its research and development activities, it also faces significant challenges such as dependencies on third countries and high energy and labour costs. Developing battery recycling or implementing more sustainable value chains could help address some of these challenges. However, significant threats, such as competition from countries with lower environmental standards, may hinder progress and require strategic action. Projections around battery manufacturing in the EU remain highly uncertain. Many reports claim that the EU is on track to meet its future battery needs, yet also highlight significant risks that could prevent this from happening. Factors such as rising energy and labour costs, incentives offered by third countries, slower-than-expected market developments, or difficult access to critical raw materials, could undermine the sector’s competitiveness. Mastering the complexities of battery manufacturing technologies remains another major challenge. Delays or cancellations of gigafactory projects have already been announced across Europe. The recent collapse of Northvolt, once hailed as Europe’s flagship home-grown battery manufacturer, has raised serious concerns about the future of batteries ‘made in Europe’. The EU has long recognised batteries as one of its strategic technological sectors. To make its battery supply chains secure, resilient and sustainable, the EU uses three approaches. First, it seeks to inject strategic impetus into the sector, using its convening power to improve cooperation among stakeholders. Second, it is working on a comprehensive regulatory framework. Third, it provides the sector with funding. The development of the battery sector provides an instructive case study for shaping an effective EU industrial policy.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Video: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Haiti & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (23 January 2025)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations
    Syria
    Security Council
    Haiti
    Sudan
    Holocaust
    Guest Tomorrow
    Honour Roll

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that large volumes of humanitarian aid continue to enter Gaza through the Erez and Zikim crossings in the north and Kerem Shalom crossing in the south.
    Inside Gaza, OCHA says that aid cargo and humanitarian personnel are moving into areas that were previously hard to reach. Our humanitarian partners on the ground say the operating environment has improved significantly. The surge in supplies entering Gaza each day and the return of law and order has allowed aid organizations to scale up the delivery of life-saving assistance and services.
    In central and southern Gaza, partners have resumed monthly food distributions with full rations. Yesterday, humanitarian organizations on the ground in Gaza transported 118 trucks of food parcels and flour from UNRWA warehouses to more than 60 distribution points in the south.
    Across southern Gaza, UNICEF continues dispatching high-energy biscuits and ready-to-use food – enough for thousands of infants.
    While food items currently account for the bulk of supplies that have entered the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire took effect, more medicines, shelter materials, and water, sanitation and hygiene supplies are expected over the coming days.
    Yesterday, partners in southern Gaza distributed medical disposables and trauma management kits to 14 hospitals, as well as sexual and reproductive health kits to 28 health facilities – enough for 58,000 people.
    Meanwhile, fuel deliveries in central and southern Gaza are keeping functional water wells, desalination plants and sewage pumps running.
    And yesterday, our humanitarian partners delivered seven trucks of fuel to northern Gaza. This is the first such shipment since the ceasefire began.
    The supplies will help power the back-up generators that are sustaining critical humanitarian services provided by UNRWA, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and other partners.
    Also, in Gaza City yesterday, two of UNRWA’s primary health service points reopened – the Beach health centre and Daraj medical point.
    Across the Strip, OCHA reports that most Palestinians remain at displacement sites – either because their homes are in ruins or contaminated by explosive ordnance, or because movement back to northern Gaza has not yet been allowed.
    And turning to the situation in the West Bank, OCHA reports that the Jenin Government Hospital remains disconnected from water and electricity, and access is extremely difficult due to road damage. The facility is relying on dwindling water reserves from emergency tanks installed just weeks ago through an allocation by the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, which is managed by OCHA.

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR PEACE OPERATIONS
    Starting this Saturday, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will travel to the Middle East.
    He will visit two UN peacekeeping missions and travel to Damascus to meet with caretaker authorities and Israeli authorities in Jerusalem.
    Mr. Lacroix will first travel to Syria, where he will spend time at the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) before visiting the headquarters of the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in Jerusalem.
    Mr. Lacroix’s priorities are to express his solidarity with and support for UN peacekeepers and to highlight the importance of mine action and removal of explosive remnants of war.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=23%20January%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt2pGiYdMwg

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Police update on Storm Éoywn

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    The Police Service of Northern Ireland urge the public not to travel and stay indoors during Storm Éoywn.

    Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: “We are now in the red weather warning phase of Storm Éoywn, which will last until 2pm this afternoon. This means there is a significant risk to life and the public should not travel during this time and stay at home.

    “There is currently severe disruption to the road network and overnight we received 70 reports of trees down and other debris on the roads. We expect this number to increase over the course of the day.

    “This is being treated as a major incident and we will continue to work with our partner agencies to assist with this operation, both throughout and after Éowyn passes. I have met with the Strategic Coordination Group and continue to keep the First Minister and deputy First Minister updated.

    “We have additional officers stood up today and will be ready to respond to calls where required. Members of the public should only contact 999 in an emergency.

    “We anticipate serious disruption across our road network, public transport,  health services and other public services. I continue to urge people be prepared and ensure you have emergency lighting such as torches easily accessible in the event of power cuts. Have ready access to additional blankets or sources of warmth in the event your heating supply is disrupted.

    “Our message is clear; do not travel, remain indoors and stay safe.”

    Details of road closures are available on the Traffic Watch NI website: https://orlo.uk/ySHmg

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 15 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    15 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photos)
    15 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photos)
    ************************************************************************

         The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Twilight”, joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” and “Windsand”, and joint operations with the Labour Department to combat illegal employment activities at Lunar New Year fairs for four consecutive days from January 20 to yesterday (January 24). A total of 10 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers and one suspected aider and abettor were arrested.           During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided eight targeted locations including residential buildings, restaurants and retail shops. Four suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised one man and three women, aged 39 to 52. Among them, one woman was a holder of recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. One man and one woman, aged 53 and 59, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers, were also arrested.           During operation “Champion”, enforcement officers raided 15 target locations in Central district. Four suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four women, aged 36 to 42. One man, aged 54, was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested.           Furthermore, during the anti-illegal worker operations at various Lunar New Year fairs, enforcement officers raided several stalls at  events. Two suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and one suspected aider and abettor were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised two women, aged 30 and 34. One woman, aged 37, was suspected of employing the illegal workers. One woman, aged 35, who was suspected of aiding and abetting a person who breached the condition of stay in Hong Kong was also arrested. Apart from mounting enforcement operations, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute “Don’t Employ Illegal Workers” leaflets and convey the message to stall owners.       An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”           The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment.”           The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.           According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.           Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 19:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — News Release — Media Advisory — Governor Green Celebrates Opening Of Eighteenth Kauhale

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — Media Advisory — Governor Green Celebrates Opening Of Eighteenth Kauhale

    Posted on Jan 23, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 

     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 

     

    GOVERNOR GREEN CELEBRATES OPENING OF KŪLIA
    I KA NUʻU KAUHALE

    Blessing set for the Newest Kauhale by the Green Administration in Partnership with U.S.VETS 
     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    January 23, 2025

    HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., today announced the opening of the Kūlia I Ka Nuʻu kauhale. As with the 17 other kauhale Governor Green has opened, this community embraces people who are experiencing homelessness. In partnership with operator U.S.VETS, this kauhale implements an emergency bed program that addresses immediate shelter needs, food insecurities and access to care for residents.

    “Housing is health care, and the Kūlia I Ka Nu‘u project is a powerful step toward addressing the urgent houselessness crisis in Leeward O‘ahu. Inspired by Queen Kapiʻolani’s motto to ‘strive for the highest,’ this initiative reflects our commitment to lifting up our most vulnerable—providing not just shelter, but dignity, stability, and a path to independence and personal excellence,” said Governor Green. “Together, with the strength of this community, we are creating a future where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”

    The mission of U.S.VETS is to prevent and end veteran homelessness and to empower veterans and families through housing, comprehensive services and advocacy. Its vision is to have all veterans and their families have their needs met to regain and maintain independence. The residents will be people in the community who are experiencing housing instability.

    “Every bed at this site represents a chance for someone to start over,” said Darryl Vincent, president and chief executive officer of U.S.VETS. “By integrating immediate care with long-term housing solutions, Kūlia I Ka Nu`u is set to change lives and empower residents to thrive. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we work together with urgency and purpose.”

    This initiative aims to support up to 19 individuals in their transition from houselessness to healthy independence. There will be 14 emergency beds for males and five for females, specifically designed for short-term stays. A crucial part of this transition is the use of 12 permanent housing units at Kūlia I Ka Nuʻu designed to facilitate a smooth move to stable living conditions. In addition to providing shelter, trained staff and volunteers will play vital roles in managing the facilities, ensuring safety, providing necessities, and linking individuals to relevant support services.

    “The program will adopt a Housing First approach, ensuring low barriers to entry and immediate access to shelter and housing without unnecessary prerequisites,” said John Mizuno, the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. “The program also intends to focus on housing access and retention, assisting individuals and families in rapidly securing permanent housing and preventing the residents’ return to houselessness.”

    The kauhale will provide a comprehensive list of services, such as emergency shelter case management, housing-focused case management, and assertive engagement strategies. These services are designed to be trauma-informed, culturally competent, and recovery-based, emphasizing participant choice and community integration. Services will be available until permanent housing can be secured, with no arbitrary time limits on program participation.

    Kūlia I Ka Nu‘u has provided the state cost savings in that Mark Development and Sofos Realty renovated the existing structure that offers rooms, restroom and shower amenities, a dining room and office space, without having to build a new facility.

    Photos from today’s kauhale blessing at 85-296 Ala Hema St., courtesy Office of the Governor, can be found here.

    About U.S.VETS
    U.S.VETS is on a mission to end veteran homelessness in the United States. The organization was founded by veterans to serve fellow veterans and is the leading nonprofit dedicated to the work of helping veterans and their families transition from homelessness through tailored support to help them gain independence. 

    # # # 

    Media Contacts:   
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Phone: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected]

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs $2.5 billion bipartisan relief package to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild faster from firestorm

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jan 23, 2025

    What you need to know: Alongside community, city, county, and legislative leaders, Governor Newsom signed special session legislation to provide over $2.5 billion for Los Angeles to bolster ongoing response efforts and jumpstart recovery and rebuilding.

    LOS ANGELES – With recovery efforts already underway to support those impacted by the Los Angeles hurricane-force firestorm, Governor Gavin Newsom today joined community, city, county, and legislative leaders in near the fire-damaged community of Altadena and signed legislation providing over $2.5 billion in disaster relief. The funding will immediately help bolster ongoing emergency response efforts as well as jumpstart recovery efforts.

    The special session legislation – ABx1-4 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and SBx1-3 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – provides funding to expedite firestorm response and recovery efforts, streamline rebuilding efforts, and help rebuild fire-damaged school facilities.

    “Thanks to our partners in the legislature, we’re providing over $2.5 billion in immediate relief – expediting initial firestorm response and recovery efforts. We’re also directing millions of dollars to help local governments speed up building approvals – so folks can rebuild their homes faster.

    Unlike MAGA Republicans in Washington who talk about delaying relief for political purposes, California is supporting our people with no strings attached. Together, we’ll rebuild Los Angeles.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “California leaders from both political parties are united and working together to provide L.A. with the immediate assistance and support they need,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. “Today, we approved billions of dollars to help clean-up devastated neighborhoods, rebuild schools and put communities on a path to recovery. I thank the Governor, Pro Tem and my colleagues for moving with urgency. This is a first step, but we are committed to a full recovery and will stand with Angelenos until this work is done.”

    “This $2.5 billion is a clear commitment that we’ve got your back LA,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). “We’ve got your back now and we’ve got your back in the months and years to come. Your rebuild and your comeback is our priority. We’re grateful to Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas and our legislative colleagues who moved with urgency to get this funding across the finish line. This downpayment is just the beginning.”

    How it works

    • $2.5 billion to expedite initial firestorm response and recovery efforts. This includes support for:

      • Emergency protective measures, evacuations, sheltering for survivors, debris removal and cleanup, post-fire hazard assessments (such as flash flooding and debris flows), traffic control, and other necessary emergency response activities.

    • $4 million to help expedite rebuilding. The Department of Housing and Community Development will allocate this funding to impacted local governments to provide additional planning review and building inspection resources for the purpose of expediting building approvals during the recovery period. 

    • $1 million to rebuild fire-damaged school facilities. The funding will provide technical assistance to impacted local educational agencies (Los Angeles Unified School District, Pasadena Unified School District, impacted charter schools).

    Supporting recovery, protecting survivors 

    Governor Newsom has issued a number of executive orders in response to the Los Angeles fire storms to help aid in rebuilding and recovery, create more temporary housing, and protect survivors from exploitation and price gouging:

    • Providing tax relief to those impacted by the fires. California postponed the individual tax filing deadline to October 15 for Los Angeles County taxpayers. Additionally, the state extended the January 31, 2025, sales and use tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County taxpayers until April 30 — providing critical tax relief for businesses. 

    • Rebuilding Los Angeles faster and stronger. Governor Newsom issued an executive order to streamline the rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed — suspending permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act.

    • Fast-tracking temporary housing and protecting tenants and homeowners. To help provide necessary shelter for those immediately impacted by the firestorms, the Governor issued an executive order to make it easier to streamline construction of accessory dwelling units, allow for more temporary trailers and other housing, and suspend fees for mobile home parks. Governor Newsom also issued an executive order that prohibits landlords in Los Angeles County from evicting tenants for sharing their rental with survivors displaced by the Los Angeles-area firestorms. For homeowners, California has worked with five major lenders to provide mortgage relief to their customers.

    • Mobilizing debris removal and cleanup. With an eye toward recovery, the Governor directed fast action on debris removal work and mitigating the potential for mudslides and flooding in areas burned. He also signed an executive order to allow expert federal hazmat crews to start cleaning up properties as a key step in getting people back to their properties safely. The Governor also issued an executive order to help mitigate risk of mudslides and flooding and protect communities by hastening efforts to remove debris, bolster flood defenses, and stabilize hillsides in affected areas. 

    • Safeguarding survivors from price gouging. Governor Newsom expanded restrictions to protect survivors from illegal price hikes on rent, hotel and motel costs, and building materials or construction. Report violations to the Office of the Attorney General here.

    • Getting kids back in the classroom. Governor Newsom signed an executive order to quickly assist displaced students in the Los Angeles area and bolster schools affected by the firestorms.

    • Protecting victims from real estate speculators. The Governor issued an executive order to protect firestorm victims from predatory land speculators making aggressive and unsolicited cash offers to purchase victims’ property. 

    Get help today

    Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.  

    Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance:

    • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

    • By calling 800-621-3362

    • By using the FEMA smart phone application

    • Assistance is available in over 40 languages

    • If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

    Recent news

    News Los Angeles, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring January 23, 2025, as Ed Roberts Day. The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONKnown as the “Father of Independent Living,” Ed Roberts was a…

    News What you need to know: The state is helping expand in-person Disaster Recovery Centers with online resources designed to help survivors get the help they need faster. Los Angeles, California – California continues to secure critical resources for survivors of the…

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced additional commitments to provide mortgage relief for property owners whose structures were damaged or destroyed by the LA firestorms, adding state-chartered banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders and…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: South Plains Financial, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LUBBOCK, Texas, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — South Plains Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPFI) (“South Plains” or the “Company”), the parent company of City Bank (“City Bank” or the “Bank”), today reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $16.5 million, compared to $11.2 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $10.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $0.96, compared to $0.66 for the third quarter of 2024 and $0.61 for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Average cost of deposits for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 229 basis points, compared to 247 basis points for the third quarter of 2024 and 224 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Net interest margin, calculated on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.75% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.65% for the third quarter of 2024 and 3.52% for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Return on average assets for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 1.53% annualized, compared to 1.05% annualized for the third quarter of 2024 and 0.99% annualized for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Tangible book value (non-GAAP) per share was $25.40 as of December 31, 2024, compared to $25.75 as of September 30, 2024 and $23.47 as of December 31, 2023.
    • The consolidated total risk-based capital ratio, common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and tier 1 leverage ratio at December 31, 2023 were 16.74%, 12.41%, and 11.33%, respectively. These ratios significantly exceeded the minimum regulatory levels necessary to be deemed “well-capitalized”.

    Full Year 2024 Highlights

    • Full year net income of $49.7 million in 2024, compared to $62.7 million in 2023.
    • Diluted earnings per share of $2.92 in 2024, compared to $3.62 in 2023.
    • The Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Windmark Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Windmark”), was sold in the second quarter of 2023 for $36.1 million, resulting in a gain, net of related charges and taxes, of $22.9 million or $1.32 of diluted earnings per share.
    • Loans held for investment grew $40.9 million, or 1.4%, during 2024.
    • Total assets were $4.23 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $4.20 billion at December 31, 2023.
    • Return on average assets of 1.17% for the full year 2024, compared to 1.54% for 2023.

    Curtis Griffith, South Plains’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “I am very proud of our performance this past year as we successfully navigated a challenging environment with a focus on delivering strong financial results. We tightly managed our liquidity to optimize our profitability and return metrics while maintaining our conservative approach to underwriting and risk management. We have also managed the anticipated decline in our indirect auto portfolio as well as a heightened level of loan payoffs and paydowns that has obscured the strong, underlying loan production that has built through the year. Importantly, we are seeing a growing level of optimism across our customer base that is translating into the strongest new business production pipeline that we have seen in more than two years. This bodes positively for the year ahead where we expect to deliver low to mid-single digit loan growth for the full year 2025. Additionally, we are seeing deposit pricing fall across our markets which contributed to our strong margin expansion in the fourth quarter.”

    Results of Operations, Quarter Ended December 31, 2024

    Net Interest Income

    Net interest income was $38.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $37.3 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $35.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest margin, calculated on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.75% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.65% for the third quarter of 2024 and 3.52% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The average yield on loans was 6.69% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 6.68% for the third quarter of 2024 and 6.29% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The average cost of deposits was 229 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2024, which is 18 basis points lower than the third quarter of 2024 and 5 basis points higher than the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Interest income was $61.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $61.6 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $57.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest income decreased $316 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2024 from the third quarter of 2024, which was primarily comprised of a decrease of $243 thousand in loan interest income. The decline in loan interest income was due primarily to a decrease in average loans of $20.2 million. Interest income increased $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase of average loans of $30.5 million and higher loan interest rates during the period, resulting in growth of $3.4 million in loan interest income.

    Interest expense was $22.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $24.3 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $22.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest expense decreased $1.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2024 and increased $702 thousand compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The $1.6 million decrease was primarily as a result of a 24 basis point decline in the cost of interest-bearing deposits. The $702 thousand increase was primarily a result of growth in average interest-bearing deposits of $136.0 million.

    Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest income was $13.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $10.6 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $9.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase from the third quarter of 2024 was primarily due to an increase of $3.1 million in mortgage banking revenues, mainly from an increase of $3.5 million in the fair value adjustment of the mortgage servicing rights assets as interest rates that affect the value increased in the fourth quarter of 2024. This growth was partially offset by approximately $700 thousand in insurance proceeds received for property damage in the third quarter of 2024. The increase in noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to an increase of $3.3 million in mortgage banking activities revenue mainly from a rise of $3.0 million in the fair value adjustment of the mortgage servicing rights assets as interest rates that affect the value increased in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Noninterest expense was $29.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $33.1 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $30.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The $3.2 million decrease from the third quarter of 2024 was largely the result of a decline of $1.4 million in personnel expenses, primarily from decreased health insurance costs of $668 thousand, as annual rebates were received in the fourth quarter, and a reduction of $400 thousand in mortgage commissions as mortgage activity slowed in the fourth quarter. There were also decreases in net occupancy expense, professional service expenses, and the ineffectiveness related to fair value hedges on municipal securities. The decrease in noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 was largely the result of a decrease of $593 thousand in personnel expenses, related to the decline in health insurance costs previously noted.

    Loan Portfolio and Composition

    Loans held for investment were $3.06 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to $3.04 billion as of September 30, 2024 and $3.01 billion as of December 31, 2023. The $17.7 million, or 2.3% annualized, increase during the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 occurred primarily as a result of organic loan growth experienced in commercial owner-occupied real estate loans. As of December 31, 2024, loans held for investment increased $40.9 million, or 1.4%, from December 31, 2023, primarily attributable to organic loan growth, occurring mainly in multi-family property loans, direct-energy loans, commercial owner-occupied real estate loans, and single-family property loans, partially offset by decreases in consumer auto loans and construction, land, and development loans.

    Deposits and Borrowings

    Deposits totaled $3.62 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to $3.72 billion as of September 30, 2024 and $3.63 billion as of December 31, 2023. Deposits decreased by $94.8 million, or 2.6%, in the fourth quarter of 2024 from September 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, deposits were essentially unchanged, from December 31, 2023. Noninterest-bearing deposits were $935.5 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $998.5 million as of September 30, 2024 and $974.2 million as of December 31, 2023. Noninterest-bearing deposits represented 25.8% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024. The quarterly change in total deposits was mainly due to the seasonal decline in escrow accounts of approximately $35 million and a planned reduction of approximately $50 million in customer sweep deposits as part of balance sheet management. Deposits were essentially unchanged, year-over-year, with an increase in interest-bearing deposits offset by a decline in noninterest-bearing deposits.

    Asset Quality

    The Company recorded a provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024 of $1.2 million, compared to $495 thousand in the third quarter of 2024 and $600 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2023. The provision during the fourth quarter of 2024 was largely attributable to net charge-off activity and increased loan balances.

    The ratio of allowance for credit losses to loans held for investment was 1.42% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 1.41% as of September 30, 2024 and 1.41% as of December 31, 2023.

    The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.58% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 0.59% as of September 30, 2024 and 0.14% as of December 31, 2023. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.11% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 0.11% for the third quarter of 2024 and 0.08% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Capital

    Book value per share decreased to $26.67 at December 31, 2024, compared to $27.04 at September 30, 2024. The change was primarily driven by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) of $18.2 million, partially offset by $14.0 million of net income after dividends paid. The decrease in AOCI was attributed to the after-tax decrease in fair value of our available for sale securities, net of fair value hedges, as a result of increases in long-term market interest rates during the period. The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) increased 15 basis points to 9.92% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Conference Call

    South Plains will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and year-end 2024 financial results today, January 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-877-407-9716 (international callers please dial 1-201-493-6779) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live audio webcast of the conference call and conference materials will be available on the Company’s website at https://www.spfi.bank/news-events/events.

    A replay of the conference call will be available within two hours of the conclusion of the call and can be accessed on the investor section of the Company’s website as well as by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (international callers please dial 1-412-317-6671). The pin to access the telephone replay is 13750452. The replay will be available until February 7, 2025.

    About South Plains Financial, Inc.

    South Plains is the bank holding company for City Bank, a Texas state-chartered bank headquartered in Lubbock, Texas. City Bank is one of the largest independent banks in West Texas and has additional banking operations in the Dallas, El Paso, Greater Houston, the Permian Basin, and College Station, Texas markets, and the Ruidoso, New Mexico market. South Plains provides a wide range of commercial and consumer financial services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in its market areas. Its principal business activities include commercial and retail banking, along with investment, trust and mortgage services. Please visit https://www.spfi.bank for more information.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures include Tangible Book Value Per Share, Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets, and Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Income. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the Company’s financial position and performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for any analysis based on GAAP financial measures.

    We classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows. Not all companies use the same calculation of these measures; therefore, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures as presented by other companies.

    A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures is provided at the end of this press release.

    Available Information

    The Company routinely posts important information for investors on its web site (under http://www.spfi.bank and, more specifically, under the News & Events tab at http://www.spfi.bank/news-events/press-releases). The Company intends to use its web site as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, investors should monitor the Company’s web site, in addition to following the Company’s press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts.

    The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the Company’s web site is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect South Plains’ current views with respect to future events and South Plains’ financial performance. Any statements about South Plains’ expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. South Plains cautions that the forward-looking statements in this press release are based largely on South Plains’ expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond South Plains’ control. Factors that could cause such changes include, but are not limited to, the impact on us and our customers of a decline in general economic conditions and any regulatory responses thereto; potential recession in the United States and our market areas; the impacts related to or resulting from uncertainty in the banking industry as a whole; increased competition for deposits in our market areas and related changes in deposit customer behavior; the impact of changes in market interest rates, whether due to a continuation of the elevated interest rate environment or further reductions in interest rates and a resulting decline in net interest income; the lingering inflationary pressures, and the risk of the resurgence of elevated levels of inflation, in the United States and our market areas; the uncertain impacts of ongoing quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; increases in unemployment rates in the United States and our market areas; declines in commercial real estate values and prices; uncertainty regarding United States fiscal debt, deficit and budget matters; cyber incidents or other failures, disruptions or breaches of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks; severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical instability or other external events; the impact of changes in U.S. presidential administrations or Congress, including potential changes in U.S. and international trade policies and the resulting impact on the Company and its customers; competition and market expansion opportunities; changes in non-interest expenditures or in the anticipated benefits of such expenditures; the risks related to the development, implementation, use and management of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learnings; potential costs related to the impacts of climate change; current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions; and changes in applicable laws and regulations. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties to which South Plains’ business and future financial performance are subject is contained in South Plains’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q on file with the SEC, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of such documents, and other documents South Plains files or furnishes with the SEC from time to time, which are available on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements due to additional risks and uncertainties of which South Plains is not currently aware or which it does not currently view as, but in the future may become, material to its business or operating results. Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, the Company can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and South Plains does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, new information, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All forward-looking statements, express or implied, included in the press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

    Contact: Mikella Newsom, Chief Risk Officer and Secretary
      (866) 771-3347
      investors@city.bank
       

    Source: South Plains Financial, Inc.

     
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights – (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
     
      As of and for the quarter ended
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Selected Income Statement Data:                            
    Interest income $ 61,324     $ 61,640     $ 59,208     $ 58,727     $ 57,236  
    Interest expense   22,776       24,346       23,320       23,359       22,074  
    Net interest income   38,548       37,294       35,888       35,368       35,162  
    Provision for credit losses   1,200       495       1,775       830       600  
    Noninterest income   13,319       10,635       12,709       11,409       9,146  
    Noninterest expense   29,948       33,128       32,572       31,930       30,597  
    Income tax expense   4,222       3,094       3,116       3,143       2,787  
    Net income   16,497       11,212       11,134       10,874       10,324  
    Per Share Data (Common Stock):                            
    Net earnings, basic $ 1.01     $ 0.68     $ 0.68     $ 0.66     $ 0.63  
    Net earnings, diluted   0.96       0.66       0.66       0.64       0.61  
    Cash dividends declared and paid   0.15       0.14       0.14       0.13       0.13  
    Book value   26.67       27.04       25.45       24.87       24.80  
    Tangible book value (non-GAAP)   25.40       25.75       24.15       23.56       23.47  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, basic   16,400,361       16,386,079       16,425,360       16,429,919       16,443,908  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, dilutive   17,161,646       17,056,959       16,932,077       16,938,857       17,008,892  
    Shares outstanding at end of period   16,455,826       16,386,627       16,424,021       16,431,755       16,417,099  
    Selected Period End Balance Sheet Data:                            
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 359,082     $ 471,167     $ 298,006     $ 371,939     $ 330,158  
    Investment securities   577,240       606,889       591,031       599,869       622,762  
    Total loans held for investment   3,055,054       3,037,375       3,094,273       3,011,799       3,014,153  
    Allowance for credit losses   43,237       42,886       43,173       42,174       42,356  
    Total assets   4,232,239       4,337,659       4,220,936       4,218,993       4,204,793  
    Interest-bearing deposits   2,685,366       2,720,880       2,672,948       2,664,397       2,651,952  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   935,510       998,480       951,565       974,174       974,201  
    Total deposits   3,620,876       3,719,360       3,624,513       3,638,571       3,626,153  
    Borrowings   110,354       110,307       110,261       110,214       110,168  
    Total stockholders’ equity   438,949       443,122       417,985       408,712       407,114  
    Summary Performance Ratios:                            
    Return on average assets (annualized)   1.53 %     1.05 %     1.07 %     1.04 %     0.99 %
    Return on average equity (annualized)   14.88 %     10.36 %     10.83 %     10.72 %     10.52 %
    Net interest margin (1)   3.75 %     3.65 %     3.63 %     3.56 %     3.52 %
    Yield on loans   6.69 %     6.68 %     6.60 %     6.53 %     6.29 %
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits   3.12 %     3.36 %     3.33 %     3.27 %     3.14 %
    Efficiency ratio   57.50 %     68.80 %     66.72 %     67.94 %     68.71 %
    Summary Credit Quality Data:                            
    Nonperforming loans $ 24,023     $ 24,693     $ 23,452     $ 3,380     $ 5,178  
    Nonperforming loans to total loans held for investment   0.79 %     0.81 %     0.76 %     0.11 %     0.17 %
    Other real estate owned   530       973       755       862       912  
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.58 %     0.59 %     0.57 %     0.10 %     0.14 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment   1.42 %     1.41 %     1.40 %     1.40 %     1.41 %
    Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)   0.11 %     0.11 %     0.10 %     0.13 %     0.08 %
                                           
      As of and for the quarter ended
      December 31
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Capital Ratios:                            
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets   10.37 %     10.22 %     9.90 %     9.69 %     9.68 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)   9.92 %     9.77 %     9.44 %     9.22 %     9.21 %
    Common equity tier 1 to risk-weighted assets   13.53 %     13.25 %     12.61 %     12.67 %     12.41 %
    Tier 1 capital to average assets   12.04 %     11.76 %     11.81 %     11.51 %     11.33 %
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets   17.86 %     17.61 %     16.86 %     17.00 %     16.74 %
    (1) Net interest margin is calculated as the annual net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.
     
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Average Balances and Yields – (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      For the Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
           
      Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/Rate   Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/Rate
    Assets                                          
    Loans $ 3,049,718     $ 51,270       6.69 %   $ 3,019,228     $ 47,903       6.29 %
    Debt securities – taxable   518,646       4,994       3.83 %     560,143       5,563       3.94 %
    Debt securities – nontaxable   154,203       1,014       2.62 %     157,341       1,032       2.60 %
    Other interest-bearing assets   390,090       4,267       4.35 %     255,454       2,963       4.60 %
                                               
    Total interest-earning assets   4,112,657       61,545       5.95 %     3,992,166       57,461       5.71 %
    Noninterest-earning assets   189,422                     156,541                
                                               
    Total assets $ 4,302,079                   $ 4,148,707                
                                               
    Liabilities & stockholders’ equity                                          
    NOW, Savings, MMDA’s $ 2,249,062       16,570       2.93 %   $ 2,201,190       16,894       3.04 %
    Time deposits   445,173       4,566       4.08 %     357,067       3,325       3.69 %
    Short-term borrowings   3             0.00 %     3             0.00 %
    Notes payable & other long-term borrowings               0.00 %                 0.00 %
    Subordinated debt   63,938       834       5.19 %     73,740       981       5.28 %
    Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures   46,393       806       6.91 %     46,393       874       7.47 %
                                               
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,804,569       22,776       3.23 %     2,678,393       22,074       3.27 %
    Demand deposits   978,742                     1,021,091                
    Other liabilities   77,732                     59,808                
    Stockholders’ equity   441,036                     389,415                
                                               
    Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity $ 4,302,079                   $ 4,148,707                
                                               
    Net interest income         $ 38,769                   $ 35,387        
    Net interest margin (2)                   3.75 %                     3.52 %
    (1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
    (2) Net interest margin is calculated as the annualized net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.
       
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Average Balances and Yields – (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      For the Twelve Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
                           
      Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/Rate   Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/Rate
    Assets                                          
    Loans $ 3,054,189     $ 202,301       6.62 %   $ 2,924,473     $ 176,627       6.04 %
    Debt securities – taxable   532,730       21,090       3.96 %     570,655       21,590       3.78 %
    Debt securities – nontaxable   155,168       4,076       2.63 %     185,205       4,901       2.65 %
    Other interest-bearing assets   312,917       14,319       4.58 %     223,152       9,973       4.47 %
                                               
    Total interest-earning assets   4,055,004       241,786       5.96 %     3,903,485       213,091       5.46 %
    Noninterest-earning assets   179,527                     176,495                
                                               
    Total assets $ 4,234,531                   $ 4,079,980                
                                               
    Liabilities & stockholders’ equity                                          
    NOW, Savings, MMDA’s $ 2,250,942       70,362       3.13 %   $ 2,117,985       55,423       2.62 %
    Time deposits   411,028       16,719       4.07 %     321,205       9,564       2.98 %
    Short-term borrowings   3             0.00 %     84       5       5.95 %
    Notes payable & other long-term borrowings               0.00 %                 0.00 %
    Subordinated debt   63,868       3,339       5.23 %     75,458       4,018       5.32 %
    Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures   46,393       3,381       7.29 %     46,393       3,276       7.06 %
                                               
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,772,234       93,801       3.38 %     2,561,125       72,286       2.82 %
    Demand deposits   968,307                     1,069,280                
    Other liabilities   70,777                     71,102                
    Stockholders’ equity   423,213                     378,473                
                                               
    Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity $ 4,234,531                   $ 4,079,980                
                                               
    Net interest income         $ 147,985                   $ 140,805        
    Net interest margin (2)                   3.65 %                     3.61 %
    (1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
    (2) Net interest margin is calculated as the annualized net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.
       
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      As of
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
               
    Assets          
    Cash and due from banks $ 54,114     $ 62,821  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks   304,968       267,337  
    Securities available for sale   577,240       622,762  
    Loans held for sale   20,542       14,499  
    Loans held for investment   3,055,054       3,014,153  
    Less:  Allowance for credit losses   (43,237 )     (42,356 )
    Net loans held for investment   3,011,817       2,971,797  
    Premises and equipment, net   52,951       55,070  
    Goodwill   19,315       19,315  
    Intangible assets   1,720       2,429  
    Mortgage servicing rights   26,292       26,569  
    Other assets   163,280       162,194  
    Total assets $ 4,232,239     $ 4,204,793  
               
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 935,510     $ 974,201  
    Interest-bearing deposits   2,685,366       2,651,952  
    Total deposits   3,620,876       3,626,153  
    Subordinated debt   63,961       63,775  
    Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures   46,393       46,393  
    Other liabilities   62,060       61,358  
    Total liabilities   3,793,290       3,797,679  
    Stockholders’ Equity          
    Common stock   16,456       16,417  
    Additional paid-in capital   97,287       97,107  
    Retained earnings   385,827       345,264  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (60,621 )     (51,674 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   438,949       407,114  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 4,232,239     $ 4,204,793  
                   
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                                   
    Interest income:                              
    Loans, including fees $ 51,262     $ 47,895     $ 202,270     $ 176,598  
    Other   10,062       9,341       38,629       35,435  
    Total interest income   61,324       57,236       240,899       212,033  
    Interest expense:                              
    Deposits   21,136       20,219       87,081       64,987  
    Subordinated debt   834       981       3,339       4,018  
    Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures   806       874       3,381       3,276  
    Other                     5  
    Total interest expense   22,776       22,074       93,801       72,286  
    Net interest income   38,548       35,162       147,098       139,747  
    Provision for credit losses   1,200       600       4,300       4,610  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   37,348       34,562       142,798       135,137  
    Noninterest income:                              
    Service charges on deposits   2,241       1,844       8,026       7,130  
    Income from insurance activities   31       37       123       1,515  
    Mortgage banking activities   4,955       1,671       14,187       13,817  
    Bank card services and interchange fees   3,225       3,167       13,640       13,323  
    Gain on sale of subsidiary                     33,778  
    Other   2,867       2,427       12,096       9,663  
    Total noninterest income   13,319       9,146       48,072       79,226  
    Noninterest expense:                              
    Salaries and employee benefits   17,384       17,977       74,338       79,377  
    Net occupancy expense   3,901       3,856       16,105       16,102  
    Professional services   1,555       1,509       6,583       6,433  
    Marketing and development   1,153       880       3,782       3,453  
    Other   5,955       6,375       26,770       29,581  
    Total noninterest expense   29,948       30,597       127,578       134,946  
    Income before income taxes   20,719       13,111       63,292       79,417  
    Income tax expense   4,222       2,787       13,575       16,672  
    Net income $ 16,497     $ 10,324     $ 49,717     $ 62,745  
                                   
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Loan Composition
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      As of
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                   
    Loans:              
    Commercial Real Estate $ 1,119,063     $ 1,081,056  
    Commercial – Specialized   388,955       372,376  
    Commercial – General   557,371       517,361  
    Consumer:              
    1-4 Family Residential   566,400       534,731  
    Auto Loans   254,474       305,271  
    Other Consumer   64,936       74,168  
    Construction   103,855       129,190  
    Total loans held for investment $ 3,055,054     $ 3,014,153  
                   
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Deposit Composition
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      As of
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                   
    Deposits:              
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 935,510     $ 974,201  
    NOW & other transaction accounts   498,718       562,066  
    MMDA & other savings   1,741,988       1,722,170  
    Time deposits   444,660       367,716  
    Total deposits $ 3,620,876     $ 3,626,153  
                   
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
       
      For the quarter ended
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Pre-tax, pre-provision income                                      
    Net income $ 16,497     $ 11,212     $ 11,134     $ 10,874     $ 10,324  
    Income tax expense   4,222       3,094       3,116       3,143       2,787  
    Provision for credit losses   1,200       495       1,775       830       600  
    Pre-tax, pre-provision income $ 21,919     $ 14,801     $ 16,025     $ 14,847     $ 13,711  
                                           
      As of
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Tangible common equity                            
    Total common stockholders’ equity $ 438,949     $ 443,122     $ 417,985     $ 408,712     $ 407,114  
    Less:  goodwill and other intangibles   (21,035 )     (21,197 )     (21,379 )     (21,562 )     (21,744 )
                                 
    Tangible common equity $ 417,914     $ 421,925     $ 396,606     $ 387,150     $ 385,370  
                                 
    Tangible assets                            
    Total assets $ 4,232,239     $ 4,337,659     $ 4,220,936     $ 4,218,993     $ 4,204,793  
    Less:  goodwill and other intangibles   (21,035 )     (21,197 )     (21,379 )     (21,562 )     (21,744 )
                                 
    Tangible assets $ 4,211,204     $ 4,316,462     $ 4,199,557     $ 4,197,431     $ 4,183,049  
                                 
    Shares outstanding   16,455,826       16,386,627       16,424,021       16,431,755       16,417,099  
                                 
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets   10.37 %     10.22 %     9.90 %     9.69 %     9.68 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets   9.92 %     9.77 %     9.44 %     9.22 %     9.21 %
    Book value per share $ 26.67     $ 27.04     $ 25.45     $ 24.87     $ 24.80  
    Tangible book value per share $ 25.40     $ 25.75     $ 24.15     $ 23.56     $ 23.47  
                                           

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Galaxy Tech Forum ① Sustainability: Driving Innovation for a Sustainable Future

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung hosted the Galaxy Tech Forum on January 23 in San Jose, California. The panels provided an in-depth exploration of Samsung’s AI innovations and the challenges they address across four key areas — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI. During the Sustainability session, experts explored how Samsung’s forward-thinking technology and strategic collaborations are building a more sustainable future.
     
     
    Following Galaxy Unpacked 2025, Samsung Electronics held its Galaxy Tech Forum event on January 23 in San Jose, California. Tech leaders and experts from around the world discussed the future of AI at Blanco, an Urban Venue, a three-story space located in the heart of Silicon Valley that blends historic architecture with a modern white design.
     
    ▲ Blanco, an Urban Venue
     
    The forum was organized into four sessions — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI — each addressing the transformative changes and challenges innovation will bring to these areas. With around 100 media representatives and industry professionals in attendance, the panels centered on the disruptive potential of AI and offered blueprints for future technologies across various sectors.
     
    Samsung Newsroom visited the first Galaxy Tech Forum session, titled “How Mobile Technology Can Accelerate a Sustainable Future,” to learn about Samsung’s mobile innovations and partnerships that are contributing to a brighter tomorrow.
     
     
    Driving Mobile Innovation and Sustainability
    Samsung is committed to accelerating a sustainable future for both people and the planet.
     
    ▲ (From left to right) Tamara Gondo, Michael Stewart, Dr. Stuart Sandin, Daniel Araujo and Cassie Smith
     
    Despite the numerous benefits offered to modern society, the rapid growth of the mobile industry has also brought significant environmental challenges. To address those challenges, Samsung has made the actualization of a sustainable future a cornerstone of the company’s vision for mobile devices.
     
    ▲ Daniel Araujo from Samsung Electronics
     
    “We’ve made significant progress in fostering sustainable practices throughout our product lifecycle and this is only possible through open collaboration with like-minded partners. And there is even more to come,” said Daniel Araujo, Head of Sustainability Management Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.
     
    “Each device of the S25 series will include at least 50% recycled cobalt, and for the first time in Galaxy history, the battery of the S25 model will be made with recycled cobalt sourced from previously used Galaxy smartphones,” he continued, highlighting Samsung’s advancements in product circularity.
     
     
    Leveraging Galaxy Camera Technology To Restore Vital Marine Ecosystems
    Since the launch of the Galaxy S22 series in 2022, Samsung has incorporated over 150 tonnes of discarded fishing nets — equivalent to the weight of 15 million plastic water bottles — into Galaxy products. Along the way, the company has recognized the critical threat ocean-bound plastic poses to coral reefs and has taken a leading role in restoration efforts through strategic partnerships.
     
    Dr. Stuart Sandin, a professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego said coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine life, and over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income and protection from storms and erosion. He added that with more than 50% of the world’s coral reefs already lost and ocean-bound plastic threatening the remaining marine ecosystems, new restoration methods using mobile technology are gaining traction.
     
    ▲ Dr. Stuart Sandin from the University of California San Diego, Scripps Institute of Oceanography
     
    “We partnered with Samsung because of our shared commitment to innovation and collaboration. Our optimistic and technology-forward approach is contributing to new solutions for coral reef restoration,” said Michael Stewart, co-founder of Seatrees — a nonprofit dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems. His announcement of the organization’s partnership with Samsung was followed by a trailer for an upcoming documentary about the collaborative efforts between the companies.
     
    ▲ Michael Stewart from Seatrees
     

    ▲ Trailer for the documentary ‘Coral in Focus’
     
    Araujo explained that to support Seatrees’ efforts, Samsung developed Ocean Mode1 — a new camera setting that optimizes underwater photography on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. He discussed how the feature will provide valuable visual data that can be used to 3D map coral reefs to aid efforts for their restoration. The panelists acknowledged that mobile technology is making environmental conservation more accessible since high-quality data can now be collected with lightweight, user-friendly smartphones.
     
     
    Empowering Young Leaders Through Technology
    “Beyond environmental efforts, Samsung has collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to empower future generations in achieving the Global Goals,” explained moderator Cassie Smith, Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability and U.S. Public Affairs at Samsung Electronics America. The success of Samsung’s five-year partnership with the UNDP led to the launch of the Samsung Global Goals app and Generation17 initiative.
     
    ▲ Cassie Smith from Samsung Electronics America
     
    “Being part of Generation17 gave me confidence, access to resources and a global platform, which opened up a world of possibilities that inspired me to grow my business, Liberty Society, and its impact,” said Tamara Gondo, CEO of Liberty Society — a social enterprise that funds upskilling for marginalized women. “Participating in global events such as Mobile World Congress and the United Nations General Assembly gave me a seat at the decision-making table.”
     
    ▲ Tamara Gondo, CEO of Liberty Society and a Generation17 Young Leader
     
    Araujo underscored Tamara’s remarks and stressed the importance of young leaders in achieving the Global Goals, encouraging ongoing efforts and inviting attendees to look forward to the new group of Young Leaders later this year.
     
    The Sustainability session provided an in-depth exploration of how mobile technology can address environmental and social challenges. Samsung’s unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability is paving the way for meaningful change on a global scale.
     
     
    1 Exclusively developed for this project and only available to Seatrees and its partners.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: ‘Ignorance is no match for the power of knowledge and education’

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Robina Azizi,19, fled Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province in 2021, leaving behind her home, her belongings and her school after the Taliban took control. Conditions rapidly deteriorated; soon after, the Taliban barred girls and women from attending secondary schools and universities. An estimated 1.4 million girls have been deprived of their right to education under the Taliban’s three-year rule.

    Determined to create opportunities for Afghan girls, Robina, who now lives in Germany, founded Girls on the Path of Change (GPC), an organization and online community that empowers Afghan girls to share their stories and pursue online education. With support from organizations like Amnesty International, there is hope that these initiatives can be expanded further. However, sustained action from the international community is essential to increase the pressure on the Taliban to stop this cycle of repression.

    Before the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, I lived with my family in the Balkh province in northern Afghanistan. I was attending school without concern and aiming to graduate.

    I had lofty ambitions, promising myself I would study at a reputable university in the hope of one day helping my country, as well as girls who were deprived of a proper education. Every day, I aimed to achieve excellent grades. I would lie awake at night, eager to attend school the next morning.

    On 10 August 2021, I was due to travel home with my friends after finishing a school exam. However, I felt as though something bad was going to happen. On my way home, I looked down the streets and alleys of Mazar-i-Sharif as if I wouldn’t see them again. When I got home, my mother was packing our belongings. 

    “We’ve booked your flight ticket; we have to leave. The Taliban have taken control of the districts of Balkh. They might come into the city,” she explained. “The Taliban takes girls into captivity and forces them into marriage. The lives of your father, brother, and sister are in danger; we must go. You are a writer and have always written against the Taliban. If they find your writings, they’ll kill you too.”

    The next day, my family and I flew to Kabul. I left everything behind: my school, classmates, exams, dreams and books.

    Learning to survive

    When we arrived, Kabul had not yet fallen and girls were still attending school. I longed to join them. I wrote to myself: ‘I have come to survive.’ This sentence became my mantra. Every day brought news of the Taliban spreading fear and seizing more provinces. Yet I still hoped to return to Balkh so I could go back to school.

    However, five days later, on 15 August, we witnessed the return of the Taliban in Kabul. The President fled and the Taliban took control in hours, announcing a ban on education for girls of secondary school age a month later.

    Robina Azizi,19, fled Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province in 2021, leaving behind her home, her belongings and her school after the Taliban took control. Determined to create opportunities for Afghan girls, Robina, who now lives in Germany, founded Girls on the Path of Change (GPC), an organization and online community that empowers Afghan girls to share their stories and pursue online education.

    With any hope of returning to education taken away, I realized I had to do something. I returned to my books and started striving for a better future. I found courses in Kabul, started studying English and reading again. As it was dangerous to go outside to study, we tried take the course secretly.   I promised myself that, despite thousands of problems, I would fight for myself and the girls of my country. I started raising awareness among Afghan families, trying to make them understand the importance of their daughters’ education, urging them to let them continue their studies.

    Later, with the help of my instructors, I enrolled in an online school despite not having the required documentation. While there, I encouraged other girls to join me and helped them with their English courses. Days passed, and I started getting used to the deprivations of the Taliban’s hardline rule over the country. To nurture my talents and share my story, I spoke with media outlets like Tolo and other broadcast programs about the importance of girls’ education. 

    Give girls a chance

    We were eventually forced to leave Afghanistan to save our lives and to ensure I could still go to school. I knew I needed to support my classmates, friends, and those who had lost their morale and needed help. After all, I’d personally experienced what it was like to be deprived of an education in Afghanistan. I always thought about these girls and wanted to stand by them. I established Girls on the Path of Change to amplify their voices, share their challenges and stories with others, and create an avenue for them to access online education and continue their studies.

    Moving forward, I am working with organizations such as Amnesty International to ensure international pressure continues and that governments around the world are held accountable for their weak stance against the Taliban’s systematic abuse and discrimination [of women and girls], which amounts to gender persecution.

    As a girl who once lived in Afghanistan and was deprived of my right to education, I call on everyone to support girls’ education. Education is essential, and girls in Afghanistan must not remain illiterate. Afghanistan needs strong, educated women. We must not give up, even if we must fight from our homes. Together, we must stand firm, move forward with determination, and prove that the ignorance of the Taliban is no match for the power of knowledge and education.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Belarus: Authorities hold presidential election in climate of total fear and repression

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Amnesty International calls on the Belarusian authorities to immediately end their vicious campaign of repression against any dissent, which denies the people of Belarus free speech in the run up to the presidential election scheduled for 26 January.

    “Ever since the 2020 presidential election, the already profound human rights crisis in Belarus has deepened even further. Through a brutal campaign against all dissent, the authorities have created a suffocating climate of fear, silencing anything and anyone who challenges the government,” said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director.

    “The systematic use of repressive measures, including arbitrary detentions, torture and other ill-treatment, and effective criminalization of critical speech, paints a bleak picture of the state of human rights in Belarus today.”

    The systematic use of repressive measures, including arbitrary detentions, torture and other ill-treatment, and effective criminalization of critical speech, paints a bleak picture of the state of human rights in Belarus today

    Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director

    “It is shameful that the international community has largely allowed the human rights crisis in Belarus to unfold and fade into the background. While attention is drawn elsewhere, thousands of people in Belarus remain imprisoned, tortured, or silenced simply for expressing their opinions. Governments and international organizations must act decisively to seek an immediate end to this ongoing crisis and hold the Belarusian authorities accountable for it.”

    Widespread repression

    Since the mass protests following the disputed 2020 presidential elections, Belarusian authorities have unleashed a relentless crackdown on dissent. Peaceful protests have been met with unlawful force by police and other law enforcement services.

    According to Belarusian human rights monitors, over 50,000 individuals have gone through arbitrary detention for taking part in or being associated with peaceful protests since 2020, with 6,550 prosecuted and convicted, and 3,697 given custodial sentences. Many were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. At least seven political prisoners have died in detention since 2021, five of them in 2024 alone. These deaths were avoidable and are the result of the conditions of detention and inadequate medical care.

    This campaign has only intensified in the lead-up to the 2025 presidential elections, with the authorities targeting dissenting individuals and groups across all sections of society, directly and via their relatives.

    The abuse of anti-extremism legislation has become the cornerstone of the government’s strategy to suppress dissent. As of late 2024, 6,565 online resources, from personal social media accounts to independent media outlets and international news organizations, had been arbitrarily labeled as “extremist.” Individuals face severe penalties including hefty fines, for any association with these entities.

    Human rights defenders have been particularly targeted, with 93 arbitrarily detained since 2020, including veteran human rights activist, Nobel peace prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Hundreds of activists, civil society leaders and at least 45 media workers are currently behind bars, and countless more have faced fabricated charges, forcing many to flee the country.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI China: Global sci-fi writers celebrate Chinese New Year with original stories

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Sci-fi writers from various countries will debut original stories themed around the number “10” at the 2025 Science Fiction New Year Gala, which will celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year.

    A poster for the 2025 Science Fiction New Year Gala. [Image courtesy of the Future Affairs Administration]

    This year marks the 10th anniversary of the gala, and the theme of “10” was selected to reflect this milestone, according to the Future Affairs Administration, the event’s organizer and a company dedicated to producing and promoting sci-fi works while supporting new writers in China.

    This year is significant as it is the first since UNESCO added the Spring Festival – a traditional celebration of the Chinese New Year – to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage last December.

    The number 10 is significant for numerous reasons. The organizers point out that both Eastern and Western cultures embrace the ouroboros – a symbol of a serpent eating its own tail that aligns with China’s Year of the Snake in the Chinese Zodiac – suggesting that the number 10 signifies the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Additionally, in decimal notation, 10 is seen as a node, while in binary, the numbers 1 and 0 represent foundational elements of code. The organizers also note that visually, the number 10 resembles a person standing before a stargate, poised to embark on a new journey.

    Twelve authors from four countries have submitted works inspired by the theme of “10.” These stories will be published daily from Jan. 24 to Feb. 4 on new media platforms operated by the Future Affairs Administration, including Xiaohongshu, WeChat, Weibo and Bilibili.

    The participating writers include China’s Han Song, Yang Ping, Jiang Bo, and Cheng Jingbo, as well as Canada’s Derek Künsken and Jiang Ai, Australia’s Samantha Murray and Japan’s Taiyo Fujii. They are a mix of award-winning authors and emerging stars in the global sci-fi literary scene.

    A tribute video is also being produced to commemorate the anniversary of the Science Fiction New Year Gala. Nearly 50 writers, artists, scholars, translators, readers, fans, critics and gala participants will share their memories and congratulations in the video.

    Over the past 10 years, the Science Fiction New Year Gala has invited 63 sci-fi authors from 10 countries across five continents to contribute to 145 novels, amassing an impressive 500 million views within the Chinese sci-fi community. The stories created for the event have garnered multiple awards both domestically and internationally, appearing in multilingual sci-fi collections and top magazines such as Clarkesworld, Asimov’s Science Fiction, and Lightspeed. Additionally, more than 10 artists have produced over 70 pieces of visual art, while 25 podcasts have collectively featured over 70 hours of programming. More than 150 partners have also given readers Chinese New Year gifts and benefits valued at over 170,000 yuan ($23,300).

    The writings showcased at the gala include sci-fi stories that explore themes such as homeward journeys reflecting the Chinese tradition of family reunions, reimaginings of China’s extensive transportation system, and various social issues. Some stories draw inspiration from the Chinese dragon, a mythical and auspicious creature in Chinese legend and the Zodiac.

    The gala also promotes cultural exchanges, allowing foreign writers to share their perspectives on China while gaining deeper insights into the emotions and experiences of the Chinese people.

    “Why are we celebrating Chinese New Year with sci-fi literature? This idea may seem crazy, but we believe that through sci-fi – a genre that expands human emotions – the atmosphere of the year will become richer between the lines and words,” said Ji Shaoting, founder and CEO of the Future Affairs Administration.

    Ji emphasized the challenge of maintaining focus on one project for 10 years. “The pain involved in pursuing what you love might be the most bearable. Ten years ago, we hoped this could become a fresh New Year tradition for our sci-fi enthusiasts. Perhaps we have achieved that now. However, the road ahead is still long, and we hope that one day everyone will recognize how deeply sci-fi is woven into life and into our very essence,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: About 850 infrastructure facilities were introduced in Russia under the Stimul program

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Since 2018, the Stimul program has been implemented in Russia, thanks to which schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, highways and housing and communal services facilities were built for new residential areas in the regions. Since 2019, the program has been included in the national project Housing and Urban Environment, which ended in 2024.

    Road in the Novo-Patrushevo microdistrict of Tyumen

    “It is important for people to have a modern school, kindergarten, and clinic within walking distance of their home, to be able to drive into the yard via a quality road, and to have utilities provided without interruptions. All this was facilitated by the Stimulus program, thanks to which more than 1,000 events have been implemented in the country since 2018, including 848 infrastructure facilities and 169 technical connections. This made it possible to stimulate the commissioning of 61.4 million square meters of housing provided with the necessary infrastructure. The national project “Housing and Urban Environment”, and along with it the Stimulus program, have completed their work, but we continue to improve the living environment for people within the framework of the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”, “said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that during the operation of the Stimul program, about 1,600 km of roads were built and reconstructed. Among them are inter-block and intra-block roads, access roads, interchanges, as well as main streets that are important both for the city as a whole and for individual districts. In addition, the Stimul program made it possible to commission 203 educational facilities with more than 111 thousand places, 12 medical institutions with 5.5 thousand places, as well as utility networks with a length of more than 2 thousand km.

    “In 2024 alone, 124 facilities were commissioned in the areas of housing projects participating in the Stimulus program. This stimulated the commissioning of 11.75 million square meters of new housing in developing areas. 51 engineering infrastructure facilities with a length of more than 450 km, 70 road infrastructure facilities with a length of more than 132.3 km and three schools for 3,129 students were created or reconstructed,” said Irek Faizullin, Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities of the Russian Federation.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: American National Announces Full Redemption of Outstanding Depositary Shares Representing Interests in its 5.95% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A and Intent to Voluntarily Delist and Deregister

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American National Group Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE: ANG PRA) today announced that the Company will redeem (the “Redemption”) all the 16,000 outstanding shares of its 5.95% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and the corresponding 16,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in one share of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”), on February 24, 2025 (the “Redemption Date”).

    The Depositary Shares will be redeemed for a redemption price equal to $25.00 per Depositary Share (equivalent to $25,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock) plus an amount equal to any declared but unpaid dividends and the portion of the quarterly dividend attributable to 1/1,000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock to the then-current dividend period that has not been declared and paid to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (the “Redemption Price”).

    The Depositary Shares are held through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and will be redeemed in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. Payment to DTC for the Depositary Shares will be made by Computershare Inc., the Company’s redemption agent (the “Redemption Agent”), in accordance with the terms set forth in the Redemption Agent Agreement that governs the redemption of the Depositary Shares. All questions about the notice of redemption and related materials should be directed to the Redemption Agent at the following address and phone number:

    Computershare Inc.
    Attention: Corporate Actions Department
    150 Royall Street
    Canton, MA 02021
    Tel: 1-800-546-5141

    Upon the Redemption, no Series A Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares will remain outstanding, and all rights with respect to such stock or depositary shares will cease and terminate except only the right of the holders of the Depositary Shares to receive the Redemption Price, without interest. The information contained in this press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares. Investors in the Depositary Shares should contact the bank or broker through which they hold a beneficial interest in the Depositary Shares for information about obtaining the Redemption Price for the Depositary Shares in which they have a beneficial interest.

    In connection with the Redemption, the Company intends to delist the Depositary Shares from the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and to deregister the Depositary Shares from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company intends to request that NYSE file with the SEC a notification of removal from listing and registration on Form 25 to effect the delisting of all of the Depositary Shares from NYSE. In addition, after the Redemption Date, the Company intends to file a certification on Form 15 with the SEC requesting the termination of registration of all of the Depositary Shares. Deregistration of the Depositary Shares is expected to become effective 90 days after the Form 15 is filed.

    ABOUT AMERICAN NATIONAL GROUP INC.

    American National Group Inc. offers a broad array of insurance products and services through its operating subsidiaries, American National and American Equity Life. Operating across 50 U.S. states, the group’s customer offering includes annuities, personal and commercial property and casualty insurance and life insurance. For more information, please visit AmericanNational.com/home/about-us/investor-relations.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements contained in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They may relate to markets for our products, trends in our operations or financial results, strategic alternatives, future operations, strategies, plans, partnerships, investments, share buybacks and other financial developments. They use words and terms such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “enable,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foreseeable,” “goal,” “improve,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “model,” “objective,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “risk,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning or that are otherwise tied to future periods or future performance, in each case in all forms of speech and derivative forms, or similar words, as well as any projections of future events or results. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to a variety of assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected. Many of these risks and uncertainties cannot be controlled by the Company. Factors that may cause our actual decisions or results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among other things, the factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and any other documents we file with the SEC.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements except as required by law. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently disclosed or anticipated by the Company will not materially adversely affect our results of operations or plans. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

    Contact: Steven Schwartz   
    Treasurer, Head of Investor Relations
    888-221-1234 ext. 3763
    sschwartz@american-equity.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Marquette National Corporation Increases Quarterly Dividend 10.7 Percent and Announces a Common Stock Repurchase Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marquette National Corporation (OTCQX: MNAT) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.31 per share, an increase of 10.7% from the previous quarter dividend rate. The dividend will be payable on April 1, 2025 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, Marquette had 4,367,477 shares issued and outstanding.

    The Company also announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1,000,000 of its outstanding common stock at prevailing market prices through open market or negotiated transactions. The repurchase program is authorized to last through December 31, 2025.

    Marquette National Corporation is a diversified bank holding company with total assets of $2.2 billion. The Company’s banking subsidiary, Marquette Bank, is a full-service, community bank that serves the financial needs of communities in Chicagoland, offering an extensive line of financial solutions, including retail banking, real estate lending, trust, insurance, investments, wealth management and business banking to consumers and commercial customers. Marquette Bank has 20 branches located in: Chicago, Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Summit and Tinley Park, Illinois. For more information visit: https://emarquettebank.com

    Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    This document contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economies (including the effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or other threats thereof (including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russian invasion of Ukraine), or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets, and the response of the local, state and national governments to any such adverse external events; (iii) changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (iv) changes in local, state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business as a result of the upcoming 2024 presidential election or any changes in response to failures of other banks; (v) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets (including the impact of the significant rate increases by the Federal Reserve since 2022); (vi) increased competition in the financial services sector (including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and “fintech” companies) and the inability to attract new customers; (vii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (viii) the loss of key executives or employees; (ix) changes in consumer spending; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; (xi) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards; (xii) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio; (xiii) concentrations within our loan portfolio, large loans to certain borrowers, and large deposits from certain clients; (xiv) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversity their exposure; (xv) the level of non-performing assets on our balance sheets; (xvi) interruptions involving our information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (xvii) breaches or failures of our information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents, and (xviii) the ability of the Company to manage the risks associated with the foregoing as well as anticipated.. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Lakeland Financial Reports Annual Net Income of $93.5 million, Organic Average Loan Growth of 5% and Average Deposit Growth of 4%

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WARSAW, Ind., Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select/LKFN), parent company of Lake City Bank, today reported net income of $93.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, versus $93.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Diluted earnings per share were $3.63 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, versus $3.65 for 2023.

    Net income was $24.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $5.4 million, or 18%, compared with net income of $29.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Diluted earnings per share of $0.94 for the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by 19% from $1.16 for the fourth quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, net income increased 4%, or $852,000, from third quarter 2024 net income of $23.3 million. Linked quarter diluted earnings per share improved by 3% from $0.91 for the third quarter of 2024.

    Pretax pre-provision earnings, which is a non-GAAP measure, were $128.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $12.3 million, or 11%, compared to $116.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Pretax pre-provision earnings were $32.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 9%, compared to $36.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Pretax pre-provision earnings increased by $2.1 million, or 7%, compared to $30.8 million on a linked quarter basis.

    “2024 continued a long and consistent trend of organic growth in our balance sheet. We successfully expanded both our loan and deposit franchises during the year,” stated David M. Findlay, Chairman and CEO. “We are particularly pleased with the 9-basis point expansion of our net interest margin on a linked quarter basis as we effectively managed the balance sheet throughout the year.”

    Quarterly Financial Performance

    Fourth Quarter 2024 versus Fourth Quarter 2023 highlights:

    • Tangible book value per share grew by $1.25, or 5%, to $26.47
    • Total risk-based capital ratio improved to 15.90%, compared to 15.47%
    • Tangible capital ratio improved to 10.19%, compared to 9.91%
    • Average loans grew by $206.9 million, or 4%, to $5.09 billion
    • Core deposit growth of $274.3 million, or 5%, to $5.9 billion
    • Average equity increased by $121.1 million, or 21%
    • Return on average equity of 13.87%, compared to 20.52%
    • Return on average assets of 1.42%, compared to 1.80%
    • Net interest margin improved to 3.25% versus 3.23%
    • Net interest income increased by $3.1 million, or 6%
    • Noninterest expense increased by $1.2 million, or 4%
    • Provision expense of $3.7 million, compared to $300,000
    • Net charge offs of $1.4 million versus $433,000
    • Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans increased to 4.13% from 3.72%

    Fourth Quarter 2024 versus Third Quarter 2024 highlights:

    • Total risk-based capital ratio improved to 15.90% from 15.75%
    • Average equity growth of $23.6 million, or 4%
    • Average loans grew by $22.3 million, or less than 1%, to $5.09 billion
    • Core deposits increased by $118.6 million, or 2%, to $5.8 billion
    • Net interest margin improved 9 basis points to 3.25% versus 3.16%
    • Return on average equity of 13.87%, compared to 13.85%
    • Return on average assets of 1.42%, compared to 1.39%
    • Noninterest income decreased by $41,000, or less than 1%
    • Noninterest expense increased by $260,000, or 1%
    • Provision expense of $3.7 million, compared to $3.1 million
    • Individually analyzed and watch list loans declined by $56.4 million, or 21%
    • Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans improved to 4.13% from 5.27%

    Capital Strength

    The company’s total capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets improved to 15.90% at December 31, 2024, compared to 15.47% at December 31, 2023 and 15.75% at September 30, 2024. These capital levels significantly exceeded the 10.00% regulatory threshold required to be characterized as “well capitalized” and reflect the company’s robust capital base.

    The company’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, improved to 10.19% at December 31, 2024, compared to 9.91% at December 31, 2023. The tangible common equity ratio contracted from 10.47% at September 30, 2024. Unrealized losses from available-for-sale investment securities were $191.1 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $174.6 million at December 31, 2023 and $154.5 million at September 30, 2024. Excluding the impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on tangible common equity and tangible assets, the company’s ratio of adjusted tangible common equity to adjusted tangible assets, a non-GAAP financial measure, improved to 12.37% at December 31, 2024, compared to 11.99% at December 31, 2023 and 12.29% at September 30, 2024.

    As announced on January 14, 2025, the board of directors approved a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of $0.50 per share, payable on February 5, 2025, to shareholders of record as of January 25, 2025. The fourth quarter dividend per share represents a 4% increase from the $0.48 dividend per share paid for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    “The continued growth in our capital base supports the increase in our dividend rate paid to shareholders and contributes to the growth in total return for shareholders. The compounded annual growth rate for our dividend is 15% since 2012,” stated Kristin L. Pruitt, President.

    Loan Portfolio

    Average total loans for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 were $5.04 billion, an increase of $225.7 million, or 5%, from $4.81 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Average total loans of $5.09 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, increased $206.9 million, or 4%, from $4.88 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, and increased $22.3 million, or less than 1%, from $5.06 billion for the third quarter of 2024.

    “Loan growth in 2024 benefited from healthy increases in both our commercial and consumer lending activities,” noted Findlay. “We were pleased to report 8% growth in consumer loans, 6% growth in CRE and multi-family loans, and 2% growth in commercial and industrial loans for 2024. Our Indiana markets continue to benefit from expanding economic activity stimulated by the pro-business operating environment. We continue to be focused on active business development efforts in every market and we are looking forward to continued organic growth in 2025.”

    Total loans, net of deferred loan fees, increased by $200.6 million, or 4%, from $4.92 billion as of December 31, 2023 to $5.12 billion as of December 31, 2024. The increase in loans occurred across much of the portfolio with our commercial real estate and multi-family residential loan portfolio growing by $155.0 million, or 6%, our commercial and industrial loan portfolio growing by $30.1 million, or 2%, and our consumer 1-4 family mortgage loans portfolio growing by $34.0 million, or 7%. These increases were offset by a decrease to other commercial loans of $25.1 million, or 21%. On a linked quarter basis, total loans, net of deferred loan fees, increased by $35.7 million, or 1%, from $5.08 billion at September 30, 2024. The linked quarter increase was primarily a result of growth in total commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans of $42.7 million, or 2%, and growth in total agri-business and agricultural loans of $29.0 million, or 8%. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in total commercial and industrial loans of $42.0 million, or 3%.

    Commercial loan originations for the fourth quarter included approximately $390.0 million in loan originations, offset by approximately $359.0 million in commercial loan pay downs. Line of credit usage increased to 41% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 39% at December 31, 2023 and was unchanged from 41% as of September 30, 2024. Total available lines of credit contracted by $238.0 million, or 5%, as compared to a year ago, and line usage decreased by $2.0 million, or less than 1%, over that period. The company has limited exposure to commercial office space borrowers, all of which are in the bank’s Indiana markets. Loans totaling $101.7 million for this sector represented 2% of total loans at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $899,000, or 1%, from September 30, 2024. Commercial real estate loans secured by multi-family residential properties and secured by non-farm non-residential properties were approximately 213% of total risk-based capital at December 31, 2024.

    Diversified Deposit Base

    The bank’s diversified deposit base has grown on a year over year basis and on a linked quarter basis.

     
    DEPOSIT DETAIL
    (unaudited, in thousands)
               
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Retail $ 1,780,726     30.2 %   $ 1,709,899     29.3 %   $ 1,794,958     31.4 %
    Commercial   2,269,049     38.4       2,304,041     39.5       2,227,147     38.9  
    Public funds   1,809,631     30.7       1,726,869     29.6       1,563,015     27.3  
    Core deposits   5,859,406     99.3       5,740,809     98.4       5,585,120     97.6  
    Brokered deposits   41,560     0.7       96,504     1.6       135,405     2.4  
    Total $ 5,900,966     100.0 %   $ 5,837,313     100.0 %   $ 5,720,525     100.0 %
                                             

    Total deposits increased $180.4 million, or 3%, from $5.72 billion as of December 31, 2023 to $5.90 billion as of December 31, 2024. The increase in total deposits was driven by an increase in core deposits (which excludes brokered deposits) of $274.3 million, or 5%. Total core deposits at December 31, 2024 were $5.86 billion and represented 99% of total deposits, as compared to $5.59 billion and 98% of total deposits at December 31, 2023. Brokered deposits were $41.6 million, or 1% of total deposits, at December 31, 2024, compared to $135.4 million, or 2% of total deposits, at December 31, 2023.

    The increase in core deposits since December 31, 2023 reflects growth in commercial deposits and public funds deposits. Public funds deposits grew annually by $246.6 million, or 16%, to $1.81 billion. Commercial deposits grew annually by $41.9 million, or 2%, to $2.27 billion. Retail deposits contracted annually by $14.2 million, or 1%, to $1.78 billion. The increase in public funds deposits drove the change in the composition of core deposits as public funds deposits as a percentage of total deposits increased to 31%, from 27%. Commercial and retail deposits as a percentage of total deposits contracted to 38%, from 39%, and to 30%, from 31%, respectively. Growth in public funds was positively impacted by the addition of a new public funds customers in the Lake City Bank footprint which included the addition of their operating accounts.

    On a linked quarter basis, total deposits increased $63.7 million, or 1%, from $5.84 billion at September 30, 2024 to $5.90 billion at December 31, 2024. Core deposits increased by $118.6 million, or 2%, while brokered deposits decreased by $54.9 million, or 57%. Linked quarter growth in core deposits resulted primarily from an increase in public funds deposits of $82.8 million, or 5%, and growth in retail deposits of $70.8 million, or 4%. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in commercial deposits of $35.0 million, or 2%.

    “Core deposit growth was steady throughout 2024 and accounts for 99% of the funding sources for Lake City Bank,” commented Findlay. “We are pleased that our growth in core deposits came from every region of the bank. We continue to successfully fund the loan growth with in-market stable and diversified deposit growth. We continue to gain market share in our more mature Northern Indiana markets and implemented strategies to enhance growth in the Indianapolis market through data-driven marketing and business development efforts.”

    Average total deposits were $6.01 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $208.5 million, or 4%, from $5.80 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Average interest-bearing deposits drove the increase in average total deposits and increased by $301.1 million, or 7%. Contributing to the overall growth of interest-bearing deposits was an increase to average interest-bearing checking accounts of $431.9 million, or 14%. Offsetting this increase was a reduction in average time deposits of $98.9 million, or 9%, and a decrease to average savings deposits of $31.9 million, or 10%. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $92.5 million, or 7%.

    On a linked quarter basis, average total deposits increased by $130.9 million, or 2%, from $5.88 billion for the third quarter of 2024 to $6.01 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024. Average interest-bearing deposits drove the increase to total average deposits, which increased by $93.2 million, or 2%. An increase to interest bearing checking accounts of $209.6 million, or 6%, drove the increase to average interest-bearing deposits on a linked quarter basis. Offsetting this increase was a decrease to total average time deposits of $111.1 million, or 10%. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased by $37.7 million, or 3%.

    Checking account trends as of December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023, include growth of $310.5 million, or 24%, in aggregate public fund checking account balances, growth of $24.5 million, or 1%, in aggregate commercial checking account balances, and expansion of $34.4 million, or 4%, in aggregate retail checking account balances. The number of accounts has also grown for all three segments, with growth of 7% for public funds accounts, 2% for commercial accounts and 1% for retail accounts during 2024.

    Deposits not covered by FDIC deposit insurance as a percentage of total deposits were 62% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 61% at September 30, 2024, and 57% at December 31, 2023, reflecting the growth in public fund deposits over the period. Deposits not covered by FDIC deposit insurance or the Indiana Public Deposit Insurance Fund (which insures public funds deposits in Indiana), were 32% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024, compared to 32% at September 30, 2024, and 31% as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, 98% of deposit accounts had deposit balances less than $250,000.

    Net Interest Margin

    Net interest margin was 3.25% for the fourth quarter of 2024, representing a 2 basis point increase from 3.23% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Earning assets yields decreased by 15 basis points to 5.81% for the fourth quarter of 2024 from 5.96% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease in earning asset yields was offset by a decrease in the company’s funding costs of 17 basis points as interest expense as a percentage of average earning assets decreased to 2.56% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.73% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Linked quarter net interest margin expanded by 9 basis point to 3.25% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.16% for the third quarter of 2024. Average earning asset yields decreased by 23 basis points from 6.04% during the third quarter of 2024 to 5.81% during the fourth quarter of 2024 and were offset by a 32 basis point decrease in interest expense as a percentage of average earning assets from 2.88% to 2.56%. The cumulative 100 basis point decline in the Federal Funds Rate during 2024, drove the reduction in funding costs that provided for the net interest margin expansion through deposit repricing. Notably, the deposit mix shift from noninterest bearing deposits to interest bearing deposits experienced by the company during the monetary tightening cycle of March 2022 through September 2024 has stabilized with noninterest bearing deposits representing 22% of total deposits at December 31, 2024, compared to 24% at December 31, 2023 and 22% at September 30, 2024.

    “Our thoughtful and strategic balance sheet management strategies led to healthy net interest margin expansion of 9 basis points during the fourth quarter,” noted Lisa M. O’Neill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. “Net interest margin expansion resulted from reduced deposit costs that outpaced loan repricing due to falling short term rates. Our public fund balances are largely tied to the effective federal funds rate, and we also continue to benefit from fixed rate loan repricing to the higher interest rate environment.”

    The loan beta for the current rate-easing cycle is 25% compared to the deposit beta of 31%. The cumulative loan beta, which measures the sensitivity of a bank’s average loan yield to changes in short-term interest rates, was 56% for the recent rate-tightening cycle. The cumulative deposit beta, which measures the sensitivity of a bank’s deposit cost to changes in short-term interest rates, was 54% for the recent rate-tightening cycle.

    Liquidity Overview

    The bank has robust liquidity resources. These resources include secured borrowings available from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window. In addition, the bank has unsecured borrowing capacity through long established relationships within the brokered deposits markets, federal funds lines from correspondent bank partners, and Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) one-way buy funds available from the Intrafi network. As of December 31, 2024, the company had access to an aggregate of $3.7 billion in liquidity from these sources, compared to $3.4 billion at December 31, 2023 and $3.7 billion at September 30, 2024. Utilization from these sources totaled $41.6 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $185.4 million at December 31, 2023 and $96.5 million at September 30, 2024. Core deposits have historically represented, and currently represent, the primary funding resource of the bank at 99% of total deposits and purchased funds.

    Investment Portfolio Overview

    Total investment securities were $1.12 billion at December 31, 2024, reflecting a decrease of $58.7 million, or 5%, as compared to $1.18 billion at December 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, investment securities decreased $24.8 million, or 2%, due primarily to a decline in the fair market value of available-for-sale securities of $36.6 million, portfolio cash flows of $15.1 million and partially offset by investment security purchases of $30 million. Investment securities represented 17% of total assets on December 31, 2024, compared to 18% at December 31, 2023 and 17% at September 30, 2024. The ratio of investment securities as a percentage of total assets remains elevated over historical levels of approximately 12% to 14%. The company expects the investment securities portfolio as a percentage of assets to continue to decrease over time as the proceeds from pay downs, sales and maturities are used to fund loan growth and for general liquidity purposes. Tax equivalent adjusted effective duration for the investment portfolio was 6.0 years at December 31, 2024, compared to 6.5 years and 6.3 years at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024, respectively. Tax equivalent adjusted effective duration of the investment portfolio remains elevated as compared to 4.0 years at December 31, 2019 prior to the deployment of excess liquidity to the investment portfolio and the impact of the higher interest rate environment. The company anticipates receiving principal and interest cash flows of approximately $104.2 million during 2025 from the investment securities portfolio and plans to use that liquidity to fund loan growth and to fund new investment securities purchases.

    Net interest income decreased by $356,000, or less than 1%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Deposit interest expense increased by $35.0 million. Offsetting the increase in deposit interest expense was an increase in loan interest income of $29.8 million and a reduction in borrowings interest expense of $4.7 million. Net interest income was $51.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, representing an increase of $3.1 million, or 6%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 benefited from an increase in loan interest income of $1.9 million and a reduction in interest expense of $667,000 compared to the prior year quarter. On a linked quarter basis, net interest income increased $2.4 million, or 5%, from $49.3 million for the third quarter of 2024. On a linked quarter basis, the increase to net interest income was driven by a $4.1 million reduction in interest expense and a $1.1 million increase in income from short-term investments. Offsetting the reduction in interest expense was a reduction in loan interest income of $2.9 million.

    On a full year basis, revenue increased by $6.6 million, or 3%, to $253.5 million as compared to $246.9 million for 2023. Revenue was $63.6 million for the fourth quarter 2024 representing a decrease of $ 2.2 million or 3%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, revenue increased by $2.4 million, or 4% from $61.2 million in the third quarter of 2024.

    Asset Quality

    Provision expense was $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $10.9 million, or 186%, as compared to $5.9 million during 2023. The elevated provision recorded during 2024 as compared to the prior year was primarily driven by an increase in specific allocations from the downgrade of a $43.3 million credit to an industrial company in Northern Indiana. The relationship was placed on nonperforming status in conjunction with the downgrade, which occurred during the second quarter of 2024. Additional specific allocations of $5.5 million were reserved for this credit during the fourth quarter of 2024. The company recorded a provision expense of $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to provision expense of $300,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, provision expense increased by $632,000 from $3.1 million for the third quarter of 2024, or 21%.

    The allowance for credit loss reserve to total loans was 1.68% at December 31, 2024, up from 1.46% at December 31, 2023, and 1.65% at September 30, 2024. Net charge offs were $2.8 million for the full year 2024 compared to $6.5 million for 2023. Net charge offs to total loans were 0.05% for 2024 compared to 0.13% for 2023. Net charge offs in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $1.4 million compared to $433,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $143,000 during the linked third quarter of 2024. Annualized net charge offs to average loans were 0.11% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 0.04% for the fourth quarter of 2023, and 0.01% for the linked third quarter of 2024.

    Nonperforming assets increased $40.8 million, or 253%, to $56.9 million as of December 31, 2024, versus $16.1 million as of December 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, nonperforming assets decreased $1.2 million, or 2%, compared to $58.1 million as of September 30, 2024. The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets at December 31, 2024 increased to 0.85% from 0.25% at December 31, 2023 and decreased from 0.87% at September 30, 2024. The full-year increase in nonperforming assets was primarily driven by the industrial borrower relationship referenced above.

    Total individually analyzed and watch list loans increased by $28.1 million, or 15%, to $211.1 million as of December 31, 2024, versus $183.1 million as of December 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, total individually analyzed and watch list loans decreased by $56.4 million, or 21%, from $267.6 million at September 30, 2024. Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans increased by 41 basis points to 4.13% at December 31, 2024, compared to 3.72% at December 31, 2023, and decreased by 114 basis points from 5.27% at September 30, 2024. The linked quarter decrease in total individually analyzed and watch list loans was primarily driven by the removal of six relationships from the watch list with an aggregate balance of $63.7 million, offset by the addition of four downgraded credits with an aggregated balance of $8.4 million. Approximately $45.5 million of the watch list removals were attributable to credit upgrades, with the remaining $18.2 million in removals attributable to payoffs.

    “We are encouraged by the $56 million decrease in watch list credits during the quarter and are cautiously optimistic following our fourth quarter, semi-annual portfolio reviews meetings during which we review every commercial banker’s portfolio,” stated Findlay. “Economic conditions in all of our markets remain stable and we continue to actively manage our loan portfolio challenges.”

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income increased by $7.0 million, or 14%, to $56.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $49.9 million for the prior year. The increase in noninterest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by the net gain on sale of Visa shares of $9.0 million. Contributing further to the increase in noninterest income was an increase to wealth and advisory fees of $1.4 million, or 15%, driven by growth in customers and favorable market performance. Bank owned life insurance income increased $1.1 million, or 34%, due to favorable market performance of the company’s variable bank owned life insurance policies. Offsetting these increases was a $4.5 million, or 49%, decrease to other income. Other income was elevated during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 from insurance and loss recoveries of $6.3 million that were related to the 2023 wire fraud loss. Offsetting the impact of these recoveries was increased investment income from the company’s limited partnership investments and the receipt of an additional $1.0 million in recoveries from the wire fraud loss. Adjusted core noninterest income, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the effects of certain non-routine operating events, was $46.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $3.3 million, or 8%, compared to $43.6 million for twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

    Findlay added, “It is very gratifying to report strong growth in core noninterest income for 2024. Our fee-based lines of business made significant contributions to revenue growth during the year. Notably, Wealth Advisory fees grew by 15% and treasury management fees grew by 5%. As we move into 2025, our teams continue to be focused on driving continued growth in these business lines.”

    The company’s noninterest income decreased $5.3 million, or 31%, to $11.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $17.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Wealth advisory fees increased $388,000, or 17%, and bank owned life insurance increased $476,000, or 64%. Other income decreased $6.5 million, or 89%. Other income was elevated during the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to insurance and loss recoveries of $6.3 million related to the wire fraud loss. Adjusted core noninterest income was $11.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $968,000, or 9%, compared to $10.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    On a linked quarter basis, noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by $41,000, or less than 1%, from $11.9 million during the third quarter of 2024. The linked quarter decrease was driven by a decrease to other income of $261,000, or 25%, and was offset by an increase to bank owned life insurance income $148,000, or 14%.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense decreased by $5.6 million, or 4%, from $130.7 million to $125.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Noninterest expense during 2023 was elevated as compared to 2024 due to the wire fraud loss, which added a net $16.7 million to noninterest expense. Offsetting this impact on noninterest expense was a $7.6 million, or 13%, increase in salaries and employees benefits during the full year 2024. The increase to salaries and benefits expense resulted primarily from increases to salaries and wages of $3.2 million, performance-based incentive compensation of $2.3 million, health insurance expense of $918,000, and variable deferred compensation of $950,000, which relates to the company’s variable bank owned life insurance. Other expense increased $2.6 million, or 24%, primarily due to an accrued legal expense of $4.5 million. Data processing fees and supplies increased by $1.2 million, or 8%, from the continued investment in customer-facing and operational technology solutions. Adjusted core noninterest expense, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the effects of certain non-routine operating events, was $120.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $6.5 million, or 6%, compared to $114.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

    Noninterest expense increased $1.2 million, or 4%, to $30.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $29.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. Driving the fourth quarter 2024 increase to noninterest expense was an increase to salaries and benefits expense of $1.5 million, or 10%, which was primarily attributable to increased salary expense of $825,000, deferred compensation of $414,000 and increased health insurance of $222,000. Other expense decreased by $595,000, or 20%, from lower legal accruals. Adjusted core noninterest expense increased by $1.7 million, or 6%, from $29.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2023.

    On a linked quarter basis, noninterest expense increased by $260,000, or 1%, from $30.4 million during the third quarter of 2024. Driving the increase in noninterest expense was an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $785,000, or 5% primarily due to performance-based incentive compensation. Corporate and business development expense decreased by $419,000, or 31%, which was driven by a reduction in advertising expense during the quarter. Other expense decreased by $132,000, or 5%.

    The company’s efficiency ratio for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was 49.3% compared to 52.9% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The company’s adjusted core efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the impact of certain non-routine operating events, was 49.5% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 47.4% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

    The company’s efficiency ratio was 48.2% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 44.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 49.7% for the linked third quarter of 2024. The company’s adjusted core efficiency ratio was 48.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and unchanged when compared to the company’s efficiency ratio for the third and fourth quarters of 2024.

    Information regarding Lakeland Financial Corporation may be accessed on the home page of its subsidiary, Lake City Bank, at lakecitybank.com. The company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under “LKFN.” Lake City Bank, a $6.7 billion bank headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, was founded in 1872 and serves Central and Northern Indiana communities with 54 branch offices and a robust digital banking platform. Lake City Bank’s community banking model prioritizes building in-market long-term customer relationships while delivering technology-forward solutions for retail and commercial clients.

    This document contains, and future oral and written statements of the company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. The company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain and, accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by the company. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. Numerous factors could cause the company’s actual results to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements, including the effects of economic, business and market conditions and changes, particularly in our Indiana market area, including prevailing interest rates and the rate of inflation; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; the risks of changes in interest rates on the levels, composition and costs of deposits, loan demand and the values and liquidity of loan collateral, securities and other interest sensitive assets and liabilities; and changes in borrowers’ credit risks and payment behaviors, as well as those identified in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

     
    LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    FOURTH QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
           
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    (Unaudited – Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    END OF PERIOD BALANCES 2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Assets $ 6,678,374     $ 6,645,371     $ 6,524,029     $ 6,678,374     $ 6,524,029  
    Investments   1,122,994       1,147,806       1,181,646       1,122,994       1,181,646  
    Loans   5,117,948       5,081,990       4,916,534       5,117,948       4,916,534  
    Allowance for Credit Losses   85,960       83,627       71,972       85,960       71,972  
    Deposits   5,900,966       5,837,313       5,720,525       5,900,966       5,720,525  
    Brokered Deposits   41,560       96,504       135,405       41,560       135,405  
    Core Deposits (1)   5,859,406       5,740,809       5,585,120       5,859,406       5,585,120  
    Total Equity   683,911       699,181       649,793       683,911       649,793  
    Goodwill Net of Deferred Tax Assets   3,803       3,803       3,803       3,803       3,803  
    Tangible Common Equity (2)   680,108       695,378       645,990       680,108       645,990  
    Adjusted Tangible Common Equity (2)   846,040       832,813       800,450       846,040       800,450  
    AVERAGE BALANCES                  
    Total Assets $ 6,795,596     $ 6,656,464     $ 6,514,430     $ 6,662,718     $ 6,464,980  
    Earning Assets   6,470,920       6,329,287       6,145,937       6,328,498       6,114,225  
    Investments   1,134,011       1,128,705       1,107,862       1,134,979       1,184,659  
    Loans   5,086,614       5,064,348       4,879,695       5,039,406       4,813,678  
    Total Deposits   6,011,122       5,880,177       5,802,592       5,836,025       5,604,228  
    Interest Bearing Deposits   4,729,201       4,635,993       4,428,140       4,578,219       4,128,922  
    Interest Bearing Liabilities   4,729,206       4,649,745       4,441,425       4,644,553       4,295,743  
    Total Equity   693,744       670,160       572,653       662,087       588,667  
    INCOME STATEMENT DATA                  
    Net Interest Income $ 51,694     $ 49,273     $ 48,599     $ 196,679     $ 197,035  
    Net Interest Income-Fully Tax Equivalent   52,804       50,383       49,914       201,363       202,347  
    Provision for Credit Losses   3,691       3,059       300       16,750       5,850  
    Noninterest Income   11,876       11,917       17,208       56,844       49,858  
    Noninterest Expense   30,653       30,393       29,445       125,084       130,710  
    Net Income   24,190       23,338       29,626       93,478       93,767  
    Pretax Pre-Provision Earnings (2)   32,917       30,797       36,362       128,439       116,183  
    PER SHARE DATA                  
    Basic Net Income Per Common Share $ 0.94     $ 0.91     $ 1.16     $ 3.64     $ 3.67  
    Diluted Net Income Per Common Share   0.94       0.91       1.16       3.63       3.65  
    Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share   0.48       0.48       0.46       1.92       1.84  
    Dividend Payout   51.06 %     52.75 %     39.66 %     52.89 %     50.41 %
    Book Value Per Common Share (equity per share issued) $ 26.62     $ 27.22     $ 25.37     $ 26.62     $ 25.37  
    Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (2)   26.47       27.07       25.22       26.47       25.22  
    Market Value – High $ 78.61     $ 72.25     $ 67.88     $ 78.61     $ 77.07  
    Market Value – Low   61.10       57.45       45.59       57.45       43.05  
                                           
                                           
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    (Unaudited – Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    PER SHARE DATA (continued) 2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding   25,686,276       25,684,407       25,614,420       25,676,543       25,604,751  
    Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding   25,792,460       25,767,739       25,732,870       25,769,018       25,723,165  
    KEY RATIOS                  
    Return on Average Assets   1.42 %     1.39 %     1.80 %     1.40 %     1.45 %
    Return on Average Total Equity   13.87       13.85       20.52       14.12       15.93  
    Average Equity to Average Assets   10.21       10.07       8.79       9.94       9.11  
    Net Interest Margin   3.25       3.16       3.23       3.18       3.31  
    Efficiency  (Noninterest Expense/Net Interest Income plus Noninterest Income)   48.22       49.67       44.74       49.34       52.94  
    Loans to Deposits   86.73       87.06       85.95       86.73       85.95  
    Investment Securities to Total Assets   16.82       17.27       18.11       16.82       18.11  
    Tier 1 Leverage (3)   12.15       12.18       11.82       12.15       11.82  
    Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (3)   14.64       14.50       14.21       14.64       14.21  
    Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) (3)   14.64       14.50       14.21       14.64       14.21  
    Total Capital (3)   15.90       15.75       15.47       15.90       15.47  
    Tangible Capital (2)   10.19       10.47       9.91       10.19       9.91  
    Adjusted Tangible Capital (2)   12.37       12.29       11.99       12.37       11.99  
    ASSET QUALITY                  
    Loans Past Due 30 – 89 Days $ 4,273     $ 829     $ 3,360     $ 4,273     $ 3,360  
    Loans Past Due 90 Days or More   28       95       27       28       27  
    Nonaccrual Loans   56,431       57,551       15,687       56,431       15,687  
    Nonperforming Loans   56,459       57,646       15,714       56,459       15,714  
    Other Real Estate Owned   284       384       384       284       384  
    Other Nonperforming Assets   143       21       8       143       8  
    Total Nonperforming Assets   56,886       58,051       16,106       56,886       16,106  
    Individually Analyzed Loans   78,647       77,654       16,124       78,647       16,124  
    Non-Individually Analyzed Watch List Loans   132,499       189,918       166,961       132,499       166,961  
    Total Individually Analyzed and Watch List Loans   211,146       267,572       183,085       211,146       183,085  
    Gross Charge Offs   1,657       231       566       3,468       7,332  
    Recoveries   299       88       133       706       848  
    Net Charge Offs/(Recoveries)   1,358       143       433       2,762       6,484  
    Net Charge Offs/(Recoveries) to Average Loans   0.11 %     0.01 %     0.04 %     0.05 %     0.13 %
    Credit Loss Reserve to Loans   1.68       1.65       1.46       1.68       1.46  
    Credit Loss Reserve to Nonperforming Loans   152.25       145.07       458.01       152.25       458.01  
    Nonperforming Loans to Loans   1.10       1.13       0.32       1.10       0.32  
    Nonperforming Assets to Assets   0.85       0.87       0.25       0.85       0.25  
    Total Individually Analyzed and Watch List Loans to Total Loans   4.13 %     5.27 %     3.72 %     4.13 %     3.72 %
                       
                       
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    (Unaudited – Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    PER SHARE DATA (continued) 2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
    OTHER DATA                  
    Full Time Equivalent Employees   643       639       619       643       619  
    Offices   54       54       53       54       53  

    ________________________________________________________________
    (1)  Core deposits equals deposits less brokered deposits.
    (2)  Non-GAAP financial measure – see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
    (3)  Capital ratios for December 31, 2024 are preliminary until the Call Report is filed.

     
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share data)
     
    December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    (Unaudited)  
    ASSETS      
    Cash and due from banks $ 71,733     $ 70,451  
    Short-term investments   96,472       81,373  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   168,205       151,824  
         
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value   991,426       1,051,728  
    Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $113,107 and $119,215, respectively)   131,568       129,918  
    Real estate mortgage loans held-for-sale   1,700       1,158  
         
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $85,960 and $71,972   5,031,988       4,844,562  
         
    Land, premises and equipment, net   60,489       57,899  
    Bank owned life insurance   113,320       109,114  
    Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock   21,420       21,420  
    Accrued interest receivable   28,446       30,011  
    Goodwill   4,970       4,970  
    Other assets   124,842       121,425  
    Total assets $ 6,678,374     $ 6,524,029  
         
         
    LIABILITIES      
    Noninterest bearing deposits $ 1,297,456     $ 1,353,477  
    Interest bearing deposits   4,603,510       4,367,048  
    Total deposits   5,900,966       5,720,525  
           
    Borrowings – Federal Home Loan Bank advances   0       50,000  
    Accrued interest payable   15,117       20,893  
    Other liabilities   78,380       82,818  
    Total liabilities   5,994,463       5,874,236  
         
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Common stock: 90,000,000 shares authorized, no par value      
    25,978,831 shares issued and 25,509,592 outstanding as of December 31, 2024      
    25,903,686 shares issued and 25,430,566 outstanding as of December 31, 2023   129,664       127,692  
    Retained earnings   736,412       692,760  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (166,500 )     (155,195 )
    Treasury stock, at cost (469,239 shares and 473,120 shares as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   (15,754 )     (15,553 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   683,822       649,704  
    Noncontrolling interest   89       89  
    Total equity   683,911       649,793  
    Total liabilities and equity $ 6,678,374     $ 6,524,029  
                   
     
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited – in thousands, except share and per share data)
     
    Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
    2024
      2023   2024   2023
    NET INTEREST INCOME              
    Interest and fees on loans              
    Taxable $ 83,253     $ 80,631     $ 335,639     $ 304,130  
    Tax exempt   296       1,016       2,126       3,885  
    Interest and dividends on securities              
    Taxable   2,997       3,187       12,048       13,153  
    Tax exempt   3,914       4,009       15,714       16,396  
    Other interest income   2,910       2,099       7,631       5,703  
    Total interest income   93,370       90,942       373,158       343,267  
         
    Interest on deposits   41,676       42,154       172,759       137,791  
    Interest on short-term borrowings   0       189       3,720       8,441  
    Total interest expense   41,676       42,343       176,479       146,232  
         
    NET INTEREST INCOME   51,694       48,599       196,679       197,035  
         
    Provision for credit losses   3,691       300       16,750       5,850  
         
    NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES   48,003       48,299       179,929       191,185  
         
    NONINTEREST INCOME              
    Wealth advisory fees   2,699       2,311       10,469       9,080  
    Investment brokerage fees   456       445       1,894       1,815  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   2,825       2,682       11,157       10,773  
    Loan and service fees   2,977       2,968       11,832       11,750  
    Merchant and interchange fee income   889       907       3,542       3,651  
    Bank owned life insurance income   1,216       740       4,210       3,133  
    Interest rate swap fee income   0       0       0       794  
    Mortgage banking income (loss)   48       (70 )     116       (254 )
    Net securities gains (losses)   0       (9 )     (46 )     (25 )
    Net gain on Visa shares   0       0       8,996       0  
    Other income   766       7,234       4,674       9,141  
    Total noninterest income   11,876       17,208       56,844       49,858  
         
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE              
    Salaries and employee benefits   17,261       15,733       66,728       59,147  
    Net occupancy expense   1,706       1,486       6,865       6,360  
    Equipment costs   1,405       1,443       5,612       5,632  
    Data processing fees and supplies   3,742       3,698       15,161       14,003  
    Corporate and business development   950       877       4,965       4,807  
    FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees   894       894       3,465       3,363  
    Professional fees   2,275       2,299       8,950       8,583  
    Wire fraud loss   0       0       0       18,058  
    Other expense   2,420       3,015       13,338       10,757  
    Total noninterest expense   30,653       29,445       125,084       130,710  
         
    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE   29,226       36,062       111,689       110,333  
    Income tax expense   5,036       6,436       18,211       16,566  
    NET INCOME $ 24,190     $ 29,626     $ 93,478     $ 93,767  
         
    BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES   25,686,276       25,614,420       25,676,543       25,604,751  
         
    BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.94     $ 1.16     $ 3.64     $ 3.67  
                 
    DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES   25,792,460       25,732,870       25,769,018       25,723,165  
                 
    DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.94     $ 1.16     $ 3.63     $ 3.65  
                                   
     
    LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    LOAN DETAIL
    (unaudited, in thousands)
               
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Commercial and industrial loans:                      
    Working capital lines of credit loans $ 649,609     12.7 %   $ 678,079     13.3 %   $ 604,893     12.3 %
    Non-working capital loans   801,256     15.6       814,804     16.0       815,871     16.6  
    Total commercial and industrial loans   1,450,865     28.3       1,492,883     29.3       1,420,764     28.9  
                         
    Commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans:                      
    Construction and land development loans   567,781     11.1       729,293     14.3       634,435     12.9  
    Owner occupied loans   807,090     15.8       810,453     15.9       825,464     16.8  
    Nonowner occupied loans   872,671     17.0       766,821     15.1       724,101     14.7  
    Multifamily loans   344,978     6.7       243,283     4.8       253,534     5.1  
    Total commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans   2,592,520     50.6       2,549,850     50.1       2,437,534     49.5  
                         
    Agri-business and agricultural loans:                      
    Loans secured by farmland   156,609     3.1       157,413     3.1       162,890     3.3  
    Loans for agricultural production   230,787     4.5       200,971     4.0       225,874     4.6  
    Total agri-business and agricultural loans   387,396     7.6       358,384     7.1       388,764     7.9  
                         
    Other commercial loans   95,584     1.9       94,309     1.9       120,726     2.5  
    Total commercial loans   4,526,365     88.4       4,495,426     88.4       4,367,788     88.8  
                         
    Consumer 1-4 family mortgage loans:                      
    Closed end first mortgage loans   259,286     5.1       261,462     5.1       258,103     5.2  
    Open end and junior lien loans   214,125     4.2       210,275     4.1       189,663     3.9  
    Residential construction and land development loans   16,818     0.3       14,200     0.3       8,421     0.2  
    Total consumer 1-4 family mortgage loans   490,229     9.6       485,937     9.5       456,187     9.3  
                       
    Other consumer loans   104,041     2.0       103,547     2.1       96,022     1.9  
    Total consumer loans   594,270     11.6       589,484     11.6       552,209     11.2  
    Subtotal   5,120,635     100.0 %     5,084,910     100.0 %     4,919,997     100.0 %
    Less:  Allowance for credit losses   (85,960 )         (83,627 )       (71,972 )  
    Net deferred loan fees   (2,687 )         (2,920 )       (3,463 )  
    Loans, net $ 5,031,988         $ 4,998,363       $ 4,844,562    
                                       
     
    LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    DEPOSITS AND BORROWINGS
    (unaudited, in thousands)
               
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Noninterest bearing demand deposits $ 1,297,456     $ 1,284,527     $ 1,353,477  
    Savings and transaction accounts:          
    Savings deposits   276,179       276,468       301,168  
    Interest bearing demand deposits   3,471,455       3,273,405       3,049,059  
    Time deposits:          
    Deposits of $100,000 or more   642,776       787,095       792,738  
    Other time deposits   213,100       215,818       224,083  
    Total deposits $ 5,900,966     $ 5,837,313     $ 5,720,525  
    FHLB advances and other borrowings   0       30,000       50,000  
    Total funding sources $ 5,900,966     $ 5,867,313     $ 5,770,525  
                           
     
    LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST ANALYSIS
    (UNAUDITED)
                 
        Three Months Ended December 31, 2024   Three Months Ended September 30, 2024   Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
    (fully tax equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)   Average Balance   Interest Income   Yield (1)/
    Rate
      Average Balance   Interest Income   Yield (1)/
    Rate
      Average Balance   Interest Income   Yield (1)/
    Rate
    Earning Assets                                    
    Loans:                                    
    Taxable (2)(3)   $ 5,060,397     $ 83,253     6.54 %   $ 5,037,855     $ 86,118     6.80 %   $ 4,820,389     $ 80,631     6.64 %
    Tax exempt (1)     26,217       364     5.52       26,493       366     5.50       59,306       1,265     8.46  
    Investments: (1)                                    
    Securities     1,134,011       7,953     2.79       1,128,705       7,871     2.77       1,107,862       8,262     2.96  
    Short-term investments     2,765       29     4.17       2,841       35     4.90       2,610       32     4.86  
    Interest bearing deposits     247,530       2,881     4.63       133,393       1,738     5.18       155,770       2,067     5.26  
    Total earning assets   $ 6,470,920     $ 94,480     5.81 %   $ 6,329,287     $ 96,128     6.04 %   $ 6,145,937     $ 92,257     5.96 %
    Less:  Allowance for credit losses     (84,687 )             (81,353 )             (72,165 )        
    Nonearning Assets                                    
    Cash and due from banks     67,994               63,744               69,563          
    Premises and equipment     60,325               59,493               58,436          
    Other nonearning assets     281,044               285,293               312,659          
    Total assets   $ 6,795,596             $ 6,656,464             $ 6,514,430          
                                         
    Interest Bearing Liabilities                                    
    Savings deposits   $ 274,960     $ 43     0.06 %   $ 280,180     $ 45     0.06 %   $ 306,875     $ 52     0.07 %
    Interest bearing checking accounts     3,505,470       31,562     3.58       3,295,911       33,822     4.08       3,073,570       30,953     4.00  
    Time deposits:                                    
    In denominations under $100,000     214,429       1,921     3.56       215,020       1,914     3.54       220,678       1,810     3.25  
    In denominations over $100,000     734,342       8,150     4.42       844,882       9,775     4.60       827,017       9,339     4.48  
    Miscellaneous short-term borrowings     5       0     5.30       13,752       189     5.48       13,285       189     5.64  
    Total interest bearing liabilities   $ 4,729,206     $ 41,676     3.51 %   $ 4,649,745     $ 45,745     3.91 %   $ 4,441,425     $ 42,343     3.78 %
    Noninterest Bearing Liabilities                                    
    Demand deposits     1,281,921               1,244,184               1,374,452          
    Other liabilities     90,725               92,375               125,900          
    Stockholders’ Equity     693,744               670,160               572,653          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 6,795,596             $ 6,656,464             $ 6,514,430          
    Interest Margin Recap                                    
    Interest income/average earning assets         94,480     5.81 %         96,128     6.04 %         92,257     5.96 %
    Interest expense/average earning assets         41,676     2.56           45,745     2.88           42,343     2.73  
    Net interest income and margin       $ 52,804     3.25 %       $ 50,383     3.16 %       $ 49,914     3.23 %
                                                           

    (1)  Tax exempt income was converted to a fully taxable equivalent basis at a 21 percent tax rate. The tax equivalent rate for tax exempt loans and tax exempt securities acquired after January 1, 1983, included the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (“TEFRA”) adjustment applicable to nondeductible interest expenses. Taxable equivalent basis adjustments were $1.11 million, $1.11 million and $1.32 million in the three-month periods ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.
    (2)  Loan fees, which are immaterial in relation to total taxable loan interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, are included as taxable loan interest income.
    (3)  Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance of taxable loans.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Tangible common equity, adjusted tangible common equity, tangible assets, adjusted tangible assets, tangible book value per common share, tangible common equity to tangible assets, adjusted tangible common equity to adjusted tangible assets, and pretax pre-provision earnings are non-GAAP financial measures calculated based on GAAP amounts. Tangible common equity is calculated by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of equity, net of deferred tax. Tangible assets are calculated by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of total assets, net of deferred tax. Adjusted tangible assets and adjusted tangible common equity remove the fair market value adjustment impact of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). Tangible book value per common share is calculated by dividing tangible common equity by the number of shares outstanding less true treasury stock. Pretax pre-provision earnings is calculated by adding net interest income to noninterest income and subtracting noninterest expense. Because not all companies use the same calculation of tangible common equity and tangible assets, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures calculated by other companies. However, management considers these measures of the company’s value meaningful to understanding of the company’s financial information and performance.

    A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below (dollars in thousands, except per share data).

      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      Dec. 31, 2024   Sep. 30, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023   Dec. 31, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023
    Total Equity $ 683,911     $ 699,181     $ 649,793     $ 683,911     $ 649,793  
    Less: Goodwill   (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )
    Plus: DTA Related to Goodwill   1,167       1,167       1,167       1,167       1,167  
    Tangible Common Equity   680,108       695,378       645,990       680,108       645,990  
    Market Value Adjustment in AOCI   165,932       137,435       154,460       165,932       154,460  
    Adjusted Tangible Common Equity   846,040       832,813       800,450       846,040       800,450  
                       
    Assets $ 6,678,374     $ 6,645,371     $ 6,524,029     $ 6,678,374     $ 6,524,029  
    Less: Goodwill   (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )
    Plus: DTA Related to Goodwill   1,167       1,167       1,167       1,167       1,167  
    Tangible Assets   6,674,571       6,641,568       6,520,226       6,674,571       6,520,226  
    Market Value Adjustment in AOCI   165,932       137,435       154,460       165,932       154,460  
    Adjusted Tangible Assets   6,840,503       6,779,003       6,674,686       6,840,503       6,674,686  
                       
    Ending Common Shares Issued   25,689,730       25,684,916       25,614,585       25,689,730       25,614,585  
                       
    Tangible Book Value Per Common Share $ 26.47     $ 27.07     $ 25.22     $ 26.47     $ 25.22  
                       
    Tangible Common Equity/Tangible Assets   10.19 %     10.47 %     9.91 %     10.19 %     9.91 %
    Adjusted Tangible Common Equity/Adjusted Tangible Assets   12.37 %     12.29 %     11.99 %     12.37 %     11.99 %
                       
    Net Interest Income $ 51,694     $ 49,273     $ 48,599     $ 196,679     $ 197,035  
    Plus:  Noninterest Income   11,876       11,917       17,208       56,844       49,858  
    Minus:  Noninterest Expense   (30,653 )     (30,393 )     (29,445 )     (125,084 )     (130,710 )
                       
    Pretax Pre-Provision Earnings $ 32,917     $ 30,797     $ 36,362     $ 128,439     $ 116,183  
                                           

    Adjusted core noninterest income, adjusted core noninterest expense, adjusted earnings before income taxes, core operational profitability, core operational diluted earnings per common share and adjusted core efficiency ratio are non-GAAP financial measures calculated based on GAAP amounts. These adjusted amounts are calculated by excluding the impact of the net gain on Visa shares, legal accrual, and wire fraud loss and associated insurance and loss recoveries and adjustments to salaries and employee benefits expense for the periods presented below. Management considers these measures of financial performance to be meaningful to understanding the company’s core business performance for these periods.

    A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below (dollars in thousands, except per share data).

      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      Dec. 31, 2024   Sep. 30, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023   Dec. 31, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023
    Noninterest Income $ 11,876     $ 11,917     $ 17,208     $ 56,844     $ 49,858  
    Less: Net (Gain) Loss on Visa Shares   0       15       0       (8,996 )     0  
    Less: Insurance and Loss Recoveries   0       0       (6,300 )     (1,000 )     (6,300 )
    Adjusted Core Noninterest Income $ 11,876     $ 11,932     $ 10,908     $ 46,848     $ 43,558  
                       
    Noninterest Expense $ 30,653     $ 30,393     $ 29,445     $ 125,084     $ 130,710  
    Less: Legal Accrual   0       0       0       (4,537 )     0  
    Less: Wire Fraud Loss   0       0       0       0       (18,058 )
    Plus: Salaries and Employee Benefits (1)   0       0       (453 )     0       1,397  
    Adjusted Core Noninterest Expense $ 30,653     $ 30,393     $ 28,992     $ 120,547     $ 114,049  
                       
    Earnings Before Income Taxes $ 29,226     $ 27,738     $ 36,062     $ 111,689     $ 110,333  
    Adjusted Core Impact:                  
    Noninterest Income   0       15       (6,300 )     (9,996 )     (6,300 )
    Noninterest Expense   0       0       453       4,537       16,661  
    Total Adjusted Core Impact   0       15       (5,847 )     (5,459 )     10,361  
    Adjusted Earnings Before Income Taxes   29,226       27,753       30,215       106,230       120,694  
    Tax Effect   (5,036 )     (4,404 )     (4,996 )     (16,853 )     (19,119 )
    Core Operational Profitability (2) $ 24,190     $ 23,349     $ 25,219     $ 89,377     $ 101,575  
                       
    Diluted Earnings Per Common Share $ 0.94     $ 0.91     $ 1.16     $ 3.63     $ 3.65  
    Impact of Adjusted Core Items   0.00       0.00       (0.18 )     (0.16 )     0.30  
    Core Operational Diluted Earnings Per Common Share $ 0.94     $ 0.91     $ 0.98     $ 3.47     $ 3.95  
                       
    Adjusted Core Efficiency Ratio   48.22 %     49.66 %     48.72 %     49.49 %     47.40 %
                                           

    (1)  In 2023, long-term, incentive-based compensation accruals were reduced as a result of the wire fraud loss and associated insurance and loss recoveries.
    (2)  Core operational profitability was $11,000 higher and $4.4 million lower than reported net income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Core operational profitability was $4.1 million lower and $7.8 million higher than reported net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

    Contact
    Lisa M. O’Neill
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (574) 267-9125
    lisa.oneill@lakecitybank.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa’s Power Revolution: Mission 300 to Light up Continent’s Future

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, January 24, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • Exceptional World Bank Group-African Development Bank (http://www.AfDB.org/en) Collaboration to Connect 300 million People to Electricity by 2030
    • Dar es Salaam Energy Summit to Chart Pathways for Energy Transformation

    In a continent where millions of homes are still shrouded in darkness each night, a groundbreaking initiative is sparking hope. Next week, African and global changemakers will converge in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the inaugural Africa Heads of State Energy Summit, where they will commit to an ambitious project to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

    The initiative, dubbed ‘Mission 300’ (M300), represents an unprecedented collaboration between the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group, alongside other global partners. The project aims to bridge the continent’s vast power divide by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative financing.

    Several heads of state and Government from Africa and the rest of the world, will join 1,500 other participants—with strong representation from the private sector—at the January 27-28 summit. Together, they will chart Africa’s course toward universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030.

    This initiative comes at a critical time: nearly 600 million Africans, representing a staggering 83 percent of the world’s energy-deprived population, lack access to electricity.

    “No economy can grow, industrialize, or be competitive in the dark,” declared African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. “This partnership is a game changer for Africa’s development.” Mission 300, launched at the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings 2024, also has the backing of the Group of Seven (G7) and the G20.

    Next week’s summit is expected to yield two significant outcomes: the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, stating commitments and reform actions from African governments to reform the energy sector, and the first set of National Energy Compacts, which will serve as blueprints for country-specific transformations.

    Under the first phase of Mission 300, twelve countries will present their energy compacts: Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. These countries represent more than half of the global population lacking access to electricity and a quarter of those lacking clean cooking solutions. Other African countries are expected to develop their compacts in subsequent phases.

    The two-day gathering will also highlight energy sector successes in selected countries, establish an alliance of sector stakeholders to accelerate energy infrastructure investments, and strengthen regional power planning, market trade, and policy frameworks. These efforts will support the implementation of the Continental Master Plan and the African Single Electricity Market.

    World Bank Group President Ajay Banga outlined a three-pronged approach for success: “We need action from governments, financing from multilateral development banks, and investment from the private sector.”

    Already, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and The Rockefeller Foundation have committed $10 million to technical assistance for electricity projects across 11 African nations—from Nigeria’s bustling cities to Madagascar’s remote villages—while energizing initiatives within COMESA, Africa’s largest regional economic community.

    Pioneering Role

    As Africa’s premier development finance institution, the African Development Bank Group brings substantial experience to the M300 initiative. The Bank’s current portfolio and pipeline of energy projects are forecast to deliver access to 43 million connections. Under Mission 300 and the Bank’s new Ten-Year Strategy, this will increase to 50 million connections, complemented by the World Bank’s pledge of 250 million connections by 2030.

    The Bank’s track record includes landmark projects such as Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, which added 310 megawatts to the country’s capacity. Another ambitious effort, the Desert to Power (D2P) initiative, aims to transform Africa’s vast, sun-drenched Sahel region into a solar energy powerhouse spanning 11 countries, connecting 250 million people.

    Recent successes under the D2P initiative include a $302.9 million loan co-financing for a solar power plant and electricity interconnection project between Mauritania and Mali. This project is expected to benefit 100,000 households. Through its Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), the Bank has supported green mini-grid projects across the continent.

    As Africa works toward universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030, Mission 300 offers more than infrastructure development. For millions of Africans who have never known reliable electricity, it represents the promise of transformation—not just of the energy landscape but of daily lives.

    The continent’s leaders and changemakers gathering in Dar es Salaam next week will set the stage for Africa’s electrification revolution. The partnerships forged and commitments made there will shape the continent’s journey toward achieving universal energy access, transforming millions of lives, and driving sustainable development.

    “The entire world will be watching us,” Adesina said in anticipation.

    Join in the conversation via our X Space live (http://apo-opa.co/42KL4wX) today.​

    Learn more about Mission 300 and the Africa Energy Summit here (http://apo-opa.co/3CbevgL).

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI: Abaxx Announces Closing of Final Tranche of C$2,756,000 Private Placement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abaxx Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA:ABXX) (“Abaxx” or the “Company”), a financial software and market infrastructure company, majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd., the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, “Abaxx Exchange” and “Abaxx Clearing”), and producer of the SmarterMarkets™ Podcast, is pleased to announce it has today closed its final tranche (the “Final Tranche”) of a non-brokered private placement financing (the “Financing”). The Final Tranche consisted of the issuance of 50,000 common shares (the “Shares”) of the Company at a price of C$13.00 per Share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$650,000. The Financing, which consisted of the Final Tranche and a tranche which closed on November 22, 2024, consisted of the issuance of 212,000 Shares at a price of C$13.00 per Share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,756,000.

    The proceeds of the Financing are expected to be used for general corporate and working capital requirements, including to fund ongoing operations and/or working capital and minimum regulatory requirements for Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing. No finder’s fees or commissions were paid in connection with the Final Tranche.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities issuable under the Financing have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold to or for the account or benefit of persons in the “United States” or “U.S. persons” (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

    About Abaxx Technologies
    Abaxx is building Smarter Markets — markets empowered by better financial technology and market infrastructure to address our biggest challenges, including the energy transition. In addition to developing and deploying financial technologies that make communication, trade, and transactions easier and more secure, Abaxx is a majority-owner of Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing, subsidiaries recognized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as “recognized market operator” and “approved clearinghouse”, respectively.

    Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing are a Singapore-based commodity futures exchange and clearinghouse, introducing centrally cleared, physically deliverable commodities futures and derivatives to provide better price discovery and risk management tools for the commodities critical to our transition to a lower-carbon economy.

    For more information please visit abaxx.tech, abaxx.exchange and smartermarkets.media.

    For more information about this press release, please contact:

    Steve Fray, CFO
    Tel: 647-490-1590

    Media and investor inquiries:

    Abaxx Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations Team
    Tel: +1 647 490 1590
    E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx’s future plans, objectives, or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “seeking”, “should”, “intend”, “predict”, “potential”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “continue”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Since forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet respective management expectations. Risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

    Forward-looking information related to Abaxx in this press release includes but is not limited to, Abaxx’s objectives, goals or future plans and intended use of proceeds from the Financing. Such factors impacting forward-looking information include, among others: risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; Abaxx’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; the ability to list Abaxx’s securities on stock exchanges in a timely fashion or at all; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third-party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure; and changes in the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labor and international travel and supply chains. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’s normal course of business.

    Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors, the risk factors in the Company’s most recent management’s discussion and analysis and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Abaxx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and information. CBOE Canada does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Harold Macmillan, Earl of Stockton, speaks in first televised Lords debate

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    The first televised debate on 23 January 1985, forty years ago this week, saw members press government on the economy.

    Former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, then Earl of Stockton, spoke without notes for 20 minutes aged 90 as ‘a very new boy in your Lordships’ House’. Lord Stockton was said by commentators to have ‘stolen the show.’

    See other speeches and find out more about the first televised proceedings from the Lords: https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2025/january/40-years-of-broadcasting-from-the-house-of-lords/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVwK4Slf9SQ

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Extension’s Mental Health First Aid Training Offers Hope and Support

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Mental health conversations were virtually nonexistent for many in Generation X and the Baby Boom generation. Today, however, policies, non-governmental organizations, and advocacy efforts have shifted mental health from a taboo topic to an open and ongoing dialogue. This progress has been instrumental in reducing stigma and promoting awareness about mental health challenges.

    One key initiative in this effort is the Mental Health First Aid Training, offered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The program equips participants to assist individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, much like traditional first aid prepares someone to respond to a physical health emergency.

    Maryann Fusco-Rollins, an assistant extension educator with UConn Extension in Tolland County (Kara Bonsack/UConn Photo)

    Maryann Fusco-Rollins, an assistant extension educator with UConn Extension in Tolland County, brings this transformative training to adults through the UConn 4-H program. Supported by the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) Strategic Vision Implementation grant, her mission is both professional and deeply personal.

    Growing up in the 1980s, Fusco-Rollins witnessed a family member struggle with mental health challenges. “There wasn’t as much information available then as there is now, but I was already seeking services and connecting people to get help,” she recalls. This early exposure to mental health advocacy left a lasting impression, inspiring her to pursue work in this field.

    After serving in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, Fusco-Rollins took a job at a crisis hotline, balancing patient intakes by day and hotline calls by night.

    “I took as many professional training and certification classes as I could,” she says. Her drive to learn and help others led to a role as a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills trainer, working with individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. She also served as an on-site supervisor at a residential program supporting individuals with schizophrenia.

    “The DBT skills training opened my eyes to the importance of mental wellness practice for everyone,” Fusco-Rollins shares. “What resonated most with me was the comprehensive nature of DBT. It’s not just about helping the client—it’s about equipping the entire care team with mindfulness tools. It’s like putting your own oxygen mask on first.”

    Fusco-Rollins emphasizes that mental health is about recognizing challenges and taking action when needed. “It’s about getting to know yourself and being honest about when you’re not okay,” she says. Yet, she acknowledges, asking for help can be one of the hardest steps.

    The Mental Health First Aid Training she now teaches is designed to address this hesitation. Participants learn to support someone in crisis or non-crisis situations until professional help is available. The course provides practical, real-world skills, including how to listen non-judgmentally and connect individuals to appropriate resources. Pre-work ensures participants are prepared, while follow-up materials offer continued support.

    “This training is for everyone—whether you have experience or not,” Fusco-Rollins explains. “Like traditional first aid, it doesn’t teach you to diagnose or treat conditions. Instead, it empowers you to act as a bridge, offering crucial assistance during a mental health crisis or emerging concern.”

    Just as wearing a seatbelt or eating healthfully supports physical well-being, prioritizing mental health is essential for overall health.

    Amy Harder, Ph.D., associate dean for extension, is excited to see UConn Extension increasing its efforts in this area.

    “Addressing mental health was reported as a leading priority when we surveyed Connecticut residents last year about their needs, and it’s important that we work on topics that are meaningful to local communities,” shares Harder.

    Participants in the training also learn to care for themselves. The course emphasizes the importance of self-care routines to manage stress and maintain long-term wellness. “The MHFA course trains people to help others in a supportive, non-judgmental way,” says Fusco-Rollins. “By the end, participants feel confident they can help someone in a concerning situation or crisis. They know how to access additional resources, and they leave with a sense of hope. We are not struggling alone—there are people who can help, recovery is possible, and there is hope.”

    This work is supported by CAHNR’s Health and Wellbeing Strategic Vision Implementation Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Undergraduate Researcher Studying Homemaker Influencers

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Sometimes an Instagram photo of freshly made strawberry jam, jars lined up symmetrically on a patterned tea towel, isn’t just a picture of preserves, says Kathryn Andronowitz ’26 (CLAS).

    Sometimes a photo like that, in a crisp kitchen with only a dirtied wooden spoon and sticky sweet mixing bowl in the background, represents something far more concerning that threatens the advancements women have made in the workplace and elsewhere outside the home, she says.

    “There’s nothing wrong with being a housewife or homemaker,” Andronowitz says. “I’m not trying to demean these women who are posting about that. My problem is in how some housewife influencers present it and how it’s part of a bigger narrative that, I believe, is ultimately harmful to women because of how it naturalizes women in the home while brushing off feminism as no longer necessary.”

    In her study, “The Business of Domesticity: A Study on Homemaker Influencers on Instagram,” Andronowitz is looking at the four themes she sees as connecting those 20-something-year-old women who’ve built a brand making videos of themselves effortlessly straining off the liquid whey in a batch of homemade ricotta cheese.

    The first is consumer capitalist logic, or how they operate as branded identities and use their platform to promote products. Next is the fantasy idealization aspect of their accounts, or how they present their idealized lifestyle without showing the inevitable drawbacks, fails, and bad days that happen as part of life.

    Kathryn Andronowitz ’26 (CLAS) (Contributed photo)

    Third is their promotion of alternative wellness and health, that is making food, sometimes even ingredients, from scratch. And last is their assertion their values are under attack, or that society believes they shouldn’t be mothers, religious, or stay at home.

    “They present their content in a way that makes sense to the average viewer. If you’re not thinking about it too deeply, it’s presented in a way that depicts the homemaker role as the most natural, fulfilling, even morally correct, path for women,” she says. “It’s only when you take a step back that you see how easy it is for people to get caught up and uncritically romanticize being a homemaker.”

    Andronowitz, a double major in English and sociology, says she started to see posts from tradwives, a term for “traditional housewives” that was popularized around 2020, show up in her social media feed and questioned their promotion of traditional gender roles and denunciation of feminism.

    Such influencers typically adhere to beliefs that were popular in the 1950s, namely that women stay home to raise children and keep house while men serve as breadwinners, Andronowitz explains. Oftentimes, tradwives go as far as saying they should be subservient to their husbands and are depicted in classic dress, with busts pushed up and waists cinched, while performing everyday tasks around the home.

    “It’s certainly valid for women to feel undervalued or caught up in the hustle of a capitalist society,” Andronowitz concedes, “but inspiring women to say to themselves, ‘I’m going to choose to step back into a slow life and leave it to the man to make the money,’ flips the script to an individual solution and turns on collective feminist aims.”

    Her project, being completed as part of a 2024-25 undergraduate research fellowship through the UConn Humanities Institute, looks at Instagram accounts with between 50,000 and 500,000 followers that predominantly feature white women generally without the male head of household anywhere near the camera.

    On these accounts, viewers find beautifully shot videos of zinnia-filled flower gardens, bubbling sourdough bread starter, and homemade beeswax candles that entice them to continue scrolling, she notes.

    “Their identities are complicated by the fact that they are content creators and entrepreneurs, so they display a lot of creativity and agency, which is an interesting contrast to how homemakers are typically perceived,” she says, adding she worries nonetheless about its aestheticized appeal.

    “Young women can be influenced from an even earlier age, long before they make decisions like whether they want to go to college or whether they want to get married,” Andronowitz says. “These very traditional roles can put women in situations that are very repressive.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Wood burning stoves are a serious problem for your health – and the environment

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Asit Kumar Mishra, Research Fellow in School of Public of Health, University College Cork

    Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

    There is something cosy and appealing about settling down next to a roaring fire in winter but, every year, nearly 61,000 premature deaths in Europe are caused by air pollution as a result of people burning wood or coal to heat their homes.

    Wood-burning stoves are often considered safer, cleaner and more attractive than open fires. This may, in part, explain why from 2021 to 2022, sales of wood-burning stoves increased by 40% in the UK.

    However, burning wood is not necessarily a healthier or greener alternative to coal or gas for home heating.

    Wood burning produces a complex chemical mixture of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gases, which can be breathed deep into the lungs. The specific contents vary based on the type of stove and the type of fuel, but chemicals can include carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and a range of volatile organic compounds, such as cancer-causing formaldehyde and benzene.

    Exposure to wood smoke affects the heart, blood vessels and the respiratory system – and PM2.5 is considered to be the biggest threat. Wood smoke increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes and can exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Exposure to PM2.5 from wood burning can also cause premature death.

    Exposure to this pollution also leads to loss of work days, reduced productivity, higher expenses on healthcare and increased hospital admissions.

    The risks are higher for people over 65, children, pregnant women and people with existing heart or lung conditions. Chronic wood smoke inhalation has been associated with systemic inflammation, which can make the lungs more vulnerable to infections, such as flu and COVID.

    In the UK and Ireland, solid fuel heating is the main source of outdoor PM2.5 during wintertime. While wood is the dominant solid fuel in the UK, peat burning is regularly found to make the largest contribution to PM2.5 in Ireland.

    Under cold, stagnant weather conditions, air pollution, even in small rural towns, can be as high as that found in very polluted parts of north India.

    Exposure to outdoor air pollution caused by wood burning is an obvious health risk. But the pollution also finds its way into homes, worsening indoor air quality. Also, when lighting or refuelling a wood stove, large quantities of PM2.5 escape into the indoor air. Depending on how effective the home ventilation is, the PM2.5 levels can take hours to reduce.

    Looks aren’t everything

    In surveys carried out in Ireland and the UK, it was found that most people using solid fuel stoves did it for the aesthetics and the “homely feel”. The desire to save money or necessity came next.

    Most people who use indoor wood burning in London are in wealthier neighbourhoods, while those most affected by the consequent air pollution are in poorer areas.

    Educational campaigns regarding the effect of wood-burning stoves on health and the environment can be an important tool to reduce their usage. New initiatives, such as the Clean Air Night held in the UK and Ireland, are valuable in raising awareness and possibly changing long-term heating habits.

    Encouraging users to move to more efficient and renewable heating technologies like heat pumps can reduce emissions and harm to health. This move even works out to be cheaper, except for people who source their own wood.

    Communities can also be provided with information on their local air quality, allowing them to visualise real-time effects of their actions. For example, the PM2.5 sensor network map for Cork is freely accessible to the community and identifies locations and times when PM2.5 pollution is unhealthy.

    If you have a wood burner, you could check that the pollution levels aren’t too high before you fire it up.

    How to reduce emissions

    People who rely on solid fuel stoves as their only source of home heating can adopt the following measures to reduce emissions. Use low-emission labelled stoves that reduce pollution. When burning, have small hot fires, with enough air supply and do not let the fire smoulder.

    Choose carefully what is burnt, in compliance with relevant regulations. Do not burn garbage, plastics, cardboard, treated or painted wood in your stoves. These items increase exposure to toxic pollutants.

    Ensure that stoves are installed and maintained annually by professionals. And, when lighting up or refuelling, make sure that the room the stove is in is well ventilated. This means open windows, no blocked vents, and exhaust fans or kitchen hoods can be used for additional ventilation.

    People who use solid fuel stoves as a secondary source of heating could consider using the stove less or even stopping using it altogether. That really would be a breath of fresh air.

    Asit Kumar Mishra is a DOROTHY co-fund Fellow and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow and receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101034345.

    John Wenger has previously received funding from several governmental organisations in Ireland for research into solid fuel burning, including the EPA and Irish Research Council.

    ref. Wood burning stoves are a serious problem for your health – and the environment – https://theconversation.com/wood-burning-stoves-are-a-serious-problem-for-your-health-and-the-environment-245737

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why peat is a key ingredient in whisky and the climate crisis

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Toby Ann Halamka, Postdoctoral Researcher in Organic Geochemistry, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol

    Kondor83/Shutterstock

    Burnt. Smoky. Medicinal. Each of these represents a subcategory of “peaty” whisky in the Scotch Whisky Research Institute’s brightly coloured flavour wheel.

    A more chemistry-focused flavour wheel might include names like lignin phenols, aromatic hydrocarbons or nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Perhaps less appealing, but these chemicals define the flavours of Scotch whisky and represent just a few of the many types of organic carbon that are stored in peatlands.

    However, when peat is burned for the production of whisky, ancient carbon is released into the atmosphere. Approximately 80% of Scotch whisky is made using peat as a fuel source for drying barley during the malting process. The aromas of the burning peat, or “reek” as it is known in the industry, are steeped into the grains providing the intense smoky flavours associated with many Scotch whiskies.

    Historically, peat was a critical fuel resource for Scotland – a nation famously rich in peatlands with few trees for wood-burning. But as the industry has modernised, peat burning in whisky manufacturing has become less a story of adapting to resource limitations and more one of tradition and distinctive flavouring.

    There is little debate about the importance of peat burning in generating some of the most highly sought-after flavours in the world of whisky. Some enthusiasts identifying as “peat heads” track the parts per million (ppm) of peaty compounds in their favourite brands. The ppm measure represents phenol concentrations (a group of aromatic organic compounds) in the malted barley. But this does not represent how peaty your whisky will taste as much will get lost in subsequent processes. Nor does the ppm represent how much peat was burned in production.

    Most of the peat that is extracted in Scotland is used in horticulture as compost to grow things like mushrooms, lettuce and houseplants. However, both the Scottish and UK governments are making efforts to reduce peat extraction for gardening needs.

    The Scotch whisky industry makes up about 1% of total peat use in Scotland. But, as horticulture practices change, this may represent a larger portion of peat use in the future.

    In 2023, the Scotch whisky industry outlined a long-term sustainability plan that expresses goodwill but lacks clearly defined goals towards peatland restoration.

    Such policies that ban or limit the use of peat in certain industries have followed an increased awareness of how important peatlands are to locking carbon away instead of releasing it into our atmosphere. Despite making up only about 3% of Earth’s land surfaces, peatlands store more carbon than all the world’s forests.

    So, should you worry about the climate consequences of peat use in Scotch whisky?

    No matter how you slice it, harvesting peat is not good for the environment – and getting your hands on a nice dry slab of peat to extract those smoky flavours is no easy task. Peat is formed by waterlogged, oxygen-poor conditions that slow the natural breakdown process of plant material.

    While it is critical for healthy peatlands, excess water is not ideal for burning or transporting peat. Hence, peat extraction usually involves the extensive draining of peatlands. This halts the natural peat accumulation process and releases greenhouse gases from the now-degraded peats into the atmosphere.

    More than 80% of Scotland’s peatlands are degraded.

    Some recovery efforts are being made, and it has been suggested that the whisky industry can offset their peat degradation by investing in peat restoration. But, peatland restoration is a long-term and imprecise solution that might take decades to properly assess, while existing peatlands are needed as a natural carbon sink now.

    Flavour innovations

    There are reasons for “peat heads” (both whisky fans and climate warriors) to feel optimistic about the future of this industry.

    For decades, the barley malting industry has focused on extracting the most flavour out of the least peat. Innovations in enhanced peat burning efficiency and investigations into peat flavouring alternatives are just some of the ways that the whisky industry is decreasing its peat footprint.

    Change in this sector takes time. Any innovations in whisky made today must age for at least three years before being ready for the “flavour wheel”. This delay underscores the urgency of developing new methods as it will take time to find the perfect eco-friendly recipe that compromises neither the taste nor tradition of Scotch whisky.

    In the meantime, whisky drinkers can seek out distilleries that are taking active steps to decrease their environmental impact and try drinking peat-free or peat-efficient whiskies.

    To continue celebrating the uniqueness of peat as a flavour in whisky, we need to better acknowledge the effect it has on peatland degradation and continue to advocate for positive changes in the industry.

    The story of peat use in Scotch whisky will continue to evolve. But while experimenting with future flavours, Scotland must preserve one of this nation’s most precious environmental resources.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.


    Toby Ann Halamka receives funding from the CERES (Climate, Energy and Carbon in Ancient Earth Systems) UKRI grant at the University of Bristol.

    Mike Vreeken does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Why peat is a key ingredient in whisky and the climate crisis – https://theconversation.com/why-peat-is-a-key-ingredient-in-whisky-and-the-climate-crisis-245497

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Trumps want you to buy their meme coins, but history should make us cautious about the hype

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Emmanuel Mogaji, Associate Professor in Marketing, Keele University

    Just before assuming office as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump introduced his meme coin – $Trump. The digital token attracted lots of attention, and a couple of days after its launch the combined value of the coins was nearly US$8.5 billion (£6.9 billion).

    Trump venturing into meme coins is perhaps not surprising, given his history of branding everything from sneakers to bibles. The first lady followed suit with a meme coin of her own ($Melania, which briefly outperformed her husband’s coin).

    History shows us that speculative hypes like this are not new. Hype can distort rational decision-making, with investors often neglecting due diligence and failing to ask the usual important questions of their investment.

    In 17th-century Netherlands, tulip bulbs became status symbols. Rare varieties could fetch six times a typical salary – until the bubble burst, leaving many financially devastated. Similarly, the South Sea Bubble of the 18th century saw the South Sea Company’s stock price skyrocket based on speculative frenzy (and a high-profile figurehead in King George I) before crashing back down. And the dotcom bubble of the early 2000s saw unproven tech startups achieve sky-high valuations on sheer optimism until the inevitable crash.

    The rise of meme coins, including the Trump ventures, bears similarities to the frenzy surrounding these past phenomena. They are driven by hype, the perception of scarcity and the promise of high returns. These factors can inflate the value irrationally and lead to significant financial risks for those who invest.

    Meme coins thrive on the power of hype. Prominent figures like Trump and viral sensations such as internet star Haliey Welch’s failed cryptocurrency have the power to generate enormous buzz. Like the tulip mania of the 1600s, these digital tokens don’t hold any intrinsic value but instead rely on public sentiment to drive prices up. The hype can quickly make them seem indispensable and highly valuable, even though they have no physical existence.

    The ease of access to meme coins also boosts their popularity. People can buy them online using simple apps or websites – much like shopping for any other product – without the need for a broker or intermediary. This autonomy appeals to modern investors, allowing them to manage their assets from the comfort of their homes. However, the simplicity and convenience often mask the high risks involved.

    Social media amplifies the excitement surrounding meme coins, creating a community vibe that fuels their popularity. The constant buzz on platforms and among influencers generates Fomo (fear of missing out), pressuring people to join the bandwagon in pursuit of the potential gains. But this rush can lead to ill-informed decisions.

    Meme coins are seen as opportunities for quick and substantial profits – an anonymous buyer (the so-called Lucky Crypto Trader) reportedly made US$100 million within hours on Trump’s coin. But these successes are rare and unpredictable. For most consumers, investing in meme coins is like gambling, with no guarantees of returns and a high likelihood of losses.

    Is it ethical?

    As a researcher in financial services marketing and fintech, I focus on the ethical and financial implications of meme coins.

    Cryptocurrencies remain largely unregulated, leaving investors without protection. So the influence of prominent figures like the Trumps hyping these assets raises questions of accountability and fairness. This lack of oversight puts inexperienced consumers at significant financial risk, which only serves to underline the need for caution.

    The parallels with past speculative bubbles offer valuable lessons. From tulip mania to the dotcom bust, history shows us the dangers of unchecked hype and speculative investments. Consumers should learn from these events to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the cryptocurrency era. There are some basic principles would-be buyers should bear in mind.

    To navigate the risks associated with meme coins and cryptocurrencies, consumers should find out more about the technology and become more aware of the trends and performance of the coins. Managing expectations is crucial; speculative investments are unpredictable and the hype can die away quickly. Diversifying investments rather than concentrating all funds in one asset or market can spread risk and provide greater financial stability.

    Education is equally important – taking the time to read the fine print on investment opportunities, such as Trump’s coin disclaimer that it is not an investment vehicle, is essential to understanding the true nature of these assets.

    Trump’s venture into meme coins is the latest in a long history of speculative financial trends, and he will probably not be the last to capitalise on this craze.

    But until regulatory frameworks catch up, consumers should tread carefully, ensuring that their pursuit of profits does not come at the expense of their financial security.

    Emmanuel Mogaji does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. The Trumps want you to buy their meme coins, but history should make us cautious about the hype – https://theconversation.com/the-trumps-want-you-to-buy-their-meme-coins-but-history-should-make-us-cautious-about-the-hype-248057

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Almost 2 million people in the UK didn’t have the right ID to vote in 2024

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ralph Scott, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in Politics, University of Bristol

    The 2024 general election was the first in the UK’s history to be run under a system of voter ID. When heading to the polling station, people could only vote if they proved their identity first. This was the result of a law brought in in 2023 and that had already applied to local elections in England that year.

    Using data from the British Election Study, we tracked people eligible to vote between 2023 and 2024 and found that 5% of people eligible to vote – nearly 2 million people – didn’t own any recognised voter identification. This lack of ID was concentrated among poorer and less educated voters.

    Of course, lacking photographic ID is not necessarily a permanent state. Some people will have been in the process of renewing passports and driving licences during this period. All of these people would also have been eligible for a voter authority certificate, a form of identification brought in with the new law – although we found take up of these was low.

    We found that around 0.5% of all voters reported being turned away at polling stations as a result of lacking ID in the local elections of 2023. We also found that four times as many people (around 2%) reported not voting because they knew they didn’t have the right ID.

    The equivalent figures were slightly lower at the general election of 2024, but a meaningful contingent still did not participate. Around 1.3% of electors – or over half a million people – were turned away or didn’t show up at all because of voter identification requirements.

    While administrative records can provide accurate numbers about how many people were turned away at the polling station, they tell us little about people who were discouraged from even trying to vote because they didn’t have the right ID. So it is clear from our analysis that the impact of voter ID on turnout is likely larger than previous estimates based on polling station returns.

    Who benefits?

    We also found that the Conservatives were more likely to benefit from the voter ID law than other parties.

    This is not surprising when we consider demographic factors. As our research shows, Conservative voters are more likely to own ID, because they are more likely to be older and more affluent. Despite changes in social patterns of party support since the 2016 Brexit referendum, this pattern still holds true.

    The types of identification which are allowed under the new law – and especially the decision to allow older people but not younger people to use travel passes – exacerbates these differences.

    Who didn’t have ID?

    Percentage of party supporters (general election vote intention) without photo ID, May 2023 (lighter column) and 2024 (darker column)
    British Election Study, CC BY-ND

    The chart above shows the percentage lacking photo ID by general election vote intention, as measured in May 2023 (lighter bars) and May 2024 (shaded bars), shortly before the general election was called.

    In 2024, only 2.4% of Conservative supporters were likely to not have photo ID, while 3.8% of Labour supporters and 4.1% of Reform supporters were lacking.

    One notable difference is an increase in Liberal Democrats and non-voters with no photo identification in 2024, although this is almost entirely due to a change in the number of people supporting the Liberal Democrats or deciding not to vote rather than changes in people’s actual ownership of ID.

    Liberal Democrat voters had the lowest proportion of supporters without voter ID in 2023 (1.3%), but in 2024, the Liberal Democrat rate exceeded that of the Conservatives (2.9%).

    There are still opportunities to mitigate the risks posed by voter ID. Ahead of the next election the new government should extend the forms of identification allowed (especially for those younger than state pension age).

    Improving public awareness around the law and the availability of voter authority certificates is another important step. There are also suggestions that a system of allowing people to vouch for others who don’t have voter ID would be an option.

    In an electorate of 49 million, if almost two million aren’t able to vote because they don’t have the right ID, there is a problem. Those interested in building trust in our democracy should consider not only minimising electoral fraud but reducing this number by as much as possible.

    Ralph Scott receives funding from the Leverhulme Trust and has previously received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.

    Ed Fieldhouse receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.

    ref. Almost 2 million people in the UK didn’t have the right ID to vote in 2024 – https://theconversation.com/almost-2-million-people-in-the-uk-didnt-have-the-right-id-to-vote-in-2024-246270

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund Announces Bonus Distribution to Unitholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund is pleased to announce that it has paid a bonus distribution of 58 bps to all unit classes. This bonus distribution equals the excess income earned by the fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and was pro-rated for the number of months an investor had holdings in 2024. The total distribution per unit for the 2024 fiscal year, inclusive of this bonus distribution, was 9.88%. This equates to a total annualized compounded return of 10.34% for the calendar year 2024.

    “We had yet another very successful year in 2024. We ended the year with all-time high totals of mortgage assets and investor capital. We were able to achieve this impressive ROI while simultaneously experiencing minimal mortgage losses. A special thank you to our valued investors, Westboro Broker Nation especially those who qualified for our Private Members Club and to our amazing staff, who are truly best in class,” said Derek Serra, President of Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund.

    About Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund

    The Fund manages a diversified portfolio of residential mortgages, with over 90% in 1st position, located in Ontario. The primary objective of the fund is to provide investors with a consistent and stable risk adjusted return for their investment portfolio. https://westboromic.com/fund-performance/

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, among others, our objectives, our strategies to achieve those objectives, our performance, our mortgage portfolio, and our distributions, as well as statements with respect to management’s beliefs, estimates, and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance, or expectations that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by using forward-looking terminology such as “outlook”, “objective”, “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intent”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “should”, “plans” or “continue” or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management.

    These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on our estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in our Offering Memorandum under “Risk Factors” (a copy of which can be obtained at https://westboromic.com/fund-performance/).

    Those risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks associated with public health crisis; liquidity; dependence on the Fund manager and the mortgage broker; potential conflicts of interest; no guaranteed return; credit risk; interest rate risk; environmental matters associated with our business; availability of investments; borrowing; limited sources of borrowing; risks related to the renewal of mortgages comprising our investment portfolio; risks related to the composition of our investment portfolio; reliance on borrowers; litigation risks; ability to manage growth; change in legislation; cyber risk; and qualification as a mortgage investment fund. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results and performance will be consistent with these forward-looking statements.

    All forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Except as required by applicable law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    Scott Roberts
    Vice-President Sales – Funds
    Westboro Mortgage Investment Corp.
    267 Richmond Road, 2nd Floor | Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X3
    Email sroberts@westboromic.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier visits old revolutionary base ahead of Spring Festival

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    HEFEI, Jan. 24 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday visited the old revolutionary base area of the Dabie Mountains, in east China’s Anhui Province, ahead of the Spring Festival.

    Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, extended his Spring Festival greetings to primary-level officials and residents during the visit.

    In Huangpu Village of Qianshan City, the premier visited the homes of elderly veterans and CPC party members, where he emphasized the importance of accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas by addressing shortfalls in pensions, education and healthcare.

    He also urged efforts to improve rural infrastructure, public services and living environments.

    When inspecting a silkworm and mulberry industrial park in Zhongfan Village, also of Qianshan City, Li said industrial development is key to rural revitalization. He noted that it is essential to leverage the resources unique to local areas, develop multi-functional agriculture, and tap into the diverse values of rural areas to drive the upgrading of the whole industrial chains in rural areas.

    Following the visit, Li chaired a symposium in Hefei, capital city of Anhui, on Thursday, hearing officials’ opinions and suggestions concerning the government work report and the work of the government.

    He called on all levels of government to implement the party’s decisions and arrangements and take proactive and prompt measures to promote sustained economic recovery and growth. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Get your West Beach tennis courts annual pass now!

    Source: City of Canterbury

    An annual household pass to use the West Beach tennis courts in Whitstable for just £35 for the whole year is now available.

    Having purchased the pass, the courts are free to use for up to four sessions a week, for up to two hours a session.

    The pass is designed to make tennis more accessible and affordable and is perfect for players of all ages and skill levels.

    To buy the pass, simply head to the Clubspark website. More information about how the pass works is available by reading the answers to frequently asked questions.

    Published: 24 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom